The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the murder conviction and life without parole prison sentence of a Meeker man in the shooting death of his wife.
Tuesday's ruling rejects appeals by 39-year-old Ronny Dale Hamlin that he did not receive a fair trial, had ineffective counsel and of prosecutorial misconduct.
Hamlin was convicted last year of the 2011 shooting death of his wife, Terri Garner.
Hamlin contended he shot Garner accidentally from several feet away during an argument after he took a gun from her when she threatened to kill herself.
Prosecutors presented evidence that the gunshot wound to the top of Garner's was a "contact wound."
Hamlin's attorney, Traci Quick of the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.
_____________________________________
KGOU produces journalism in the public interest, essential to an informed electorate. Help support informative, in-depth journalism with a donation online, or contact our Membership department.