The U.S. Supreme Court has refused an appeal from George Rivas, the mastermind of the notorious "Texas 7" gang that engineered the biggest prison escape in the state's history.
The 41-year-old Rivas is set for execution Feb. 29 for gunning down a suburban Dallas police officer during a sporting goods store robbery on Christmas Eve 11 years ago. It occurred two weeks after he and six other convicts fled a South Texas prison.
Evidence showed Rivas planned the escape from the Connally Unit south of San Antonio while serving a life sentence for kidnapping, robbery and burglary.
Rivas asked the high court to consider a lower court's rejection of claims that included his legal help was ineffective and the judge made errors at his trial. The justices Monday refused.
