CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) – The New Mexico Supreme Court has affirmed the murder conviction of a Carlsbad man who killed his girlfriend from North Texas in 2014.
Robert Earley was convicted of first-degree murder, kidnapping and tampering with evidence last year.
The state’s high court ruled Thursday that Early will remain in prison.
His conviction carried an automatic life sentence by state law, but a mandatory appeal was filed in the case.
Authorities say Earley killed Emily Lambert at a Carlsbad hotel following an argument on March 1, 2014.
Earley’s lawyers argued his statements to the police shouldn’t have been allowed into evidence.
The state Supreme Court rejected Earley’s claims of error during his trial, held that the convictions were supported by the evidence and held that Earley’s statements to police were properly admitted at trial.
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