Oklahoma pharmacist Jerome Ersland files appeal of murder conviction
Posted: 10/01/2012
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- An Oklahoma pharmacist is appealing his murder conviction and life sentence in the shooting of a teenager during an attempted robbery.
Jerome Ersland's supporters filed the appeal on his behalf Monday with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals. The appeal says Ersland received ineffective legal counsel at his May 2011 trial. His trial attorney, Irven Box, didn't return a call seeking comment.
Ersland was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the 2009 shooting death of a 16-year-old boy involved in a break-in at his store.
Prosecutors say Ersland was justified in firing an initial shot but that he went too far when he grabbed a second gun and fired five more bullets into the unconscious teen.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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