East Texas man on death row loses at Supreme Court

HOUSTON (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from an East Texas man condemned for the slaying of a 75-year-old auto mechanic during a robbery in Tyler more than a decade ago.

The high court, without comment Monday, refused to review the case of 44-year-old Gregory Russeau.

He was convicted and sent to death row for the fatal beating of James Syvertson at his auto repair shop. Syvertson's wallet and car were stolen. Russeau was arrested the next day in Longview in the stolen car.

Russeau's initial death sentence was thrown out on appeal and he was sentenced a second time. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March rejected an appeal that argued his trial legal help was deficient and that trial prosecutors used planted evidence against him.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.