HOUSTON (April 19, 2012)—The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected an appeal from death row inmate Mario Swain, 33, who was convicted of beating an East Texas woman to death with a tire iron during a break-in at her home a decade ago.
Swain’s lawyers contended the inmate’s confessions to the December 2002 slaying of Lola Nixon, 46, of Longview improperly were admitted at his capital murder trial and also argued his trial lawyers were deficient and jury selection was improper.
The New Orleans-based court late Wednesday refused the claims, moving Swain a step closer to execution.
Nixon evidently came home while Swain was in her house and was attacked.
Her body was thrown in the trunk of her car and dumped in a field.
Swain does not have an execution date.
