Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS — One of the so-called “Texas 7" prison escapees sent to death row for the 2000 slaying of a Dallas-area police officer has lost another appeal.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the appeal for Donald Newbury, who claimed ineffective counsel during initial appeals. A three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based court on Tuesday ruled against Newbury.
The U.S. Supreme Court in June 2013 had ordered a review of Newbury’s allegations.
Newbury and six other inmates broke out of the Connally Unit in December 2000. Irving police Officer Aubrey Hawkins was shot and killed when he interrupted a store robbery blamed on the fugitives.
One escapee killed himself in Colorado as officers closed in on the gang. The remaining six were arrested, convicted in the officer’s death and condemned.