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Supreme Court Says Wheat's Convictions Stand

By Alabama Public Radio

Montgomery, AL – The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that Donald Ray Wheat's capital murder convictions should stand. Wheat was found guilty of killing four people at an Anniston Blockbuster video store. The Court of Criminal Appeals ruled in 2004 that the convictions should be set aside because Wheat died while pursuing an appeal. But the Supreme Court reversed that decision Friday. The state's High Court also set out a guideline that says if a defendant dies while pursuing an appeal at the Court of Criminal Appeals, a note should be put in the court file, saying there had been no ruling on the appeal when the death occurred. Attorney General Troy King says the decision means the families of the victims will still have justice.

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