Judge nixes death-row inmate s claims against attorney, church meddling deseret.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from deseret.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
SALT LAKE CITY A judge in Ogden has rejected an ineffective counsel argument from a death row inmate appealing his second death sentence, a decision that now goes to the Utah Supreme Court for review.
Douglas Lovell, 63, contends one of his former lawyers failed to properly prepare witnesses and didn t object when Lovell claims The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meddled in his 2015 trial.
Second District Judge Michael DiReda rejected both claims.
Lovell, of Clearfield, pleaded guilty to killing Joyce Yost in 1985 to prevent her from testifying after he had been charged with raping her. He was sentenced to die for the same crimes in 1993.