Convicted Killer of East Texas Woman Loses Appeal

HOUSTON (AP) – A federal appeals court has rejected an appeal from a death row inmate convicted of fatally beating an East Texas woman with a tire iron during a break-in of her home a decade ago. Lawyers for Mario Swain, 33, contended his confessions to the December 2002 slaying of Lola Nixon, 46, of Longview improperly were admitted at his capital murder trial. They also argued his trial lawyers were deficient and jury selection was improper. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals late Wednesday refused the claims, moving Swain a step closer to execution. Nixon apparently 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.