Texas highest criminal court has upheld the conviction and death sentence of a 24-year-old man condemned for fatally shooting an Austin police officer almost four years ago.
Attorneys for Brandon Daniel argued evidence at his trial was legally insufficient to support the jury's finding that Daniel would be a future threat, that a prospective juror improperly was excused and that a prosecution witness improperly was allowed to testify at the trial's punishment phase.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected the arguments Wednesday.
Austin Officer Jaime Padron was fatally shot as he responded to an April 2012 shoplifting call at a Wal-Mart.
Daniel asked his appeals be dropped to expedite his punishment and a judge in Austin last year ruled him mentally competent to make that decision.
