Cincinnati death-row inmate's conviction, sentence upheld

CINCINNATI (AP) -- A federal appeals court has upheld a condemned Ohio killer's conviction and death sentence in the 1994 Cincinnati slaying of a suburban Chicago businessman.

Lee Moore was convicted of aggravated murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping in the killing of Melvin Olinger, who was forced into the trunk of his car, robbed and fatally shot.

A 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled 2-1 Tuesday to uphold Moore's conviction and sentence.

The panel reversed part of a lower court's ruling that had granted Moore's request for a new trial based on claims of ineffective counsel and improper jury instructions at sentencing. The appellate court affirmed the district court's denial of Moore's petition on all other claims including prosecutorial misconduct.

Moore's attorney didn't immediately return a call for comment Tuesday.