Man Condemned for Repair Shop Killing Loses at High Court

HOUSTON (AP/Staff) – The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from an East Texas man condemned for the slaying of a 75-year-old auto mechanic during a 2001 robbery in Tyler. The high court, without comment Monday, refused to review the case of Gregory Russeau, 44. He was convicted and sent to death row for the fatal beating of James Syvertson at his auto repair shop. Syvertson’s wallet and car were stolen. Russeau was arrested the next day in Longview in the stolen car. Russeau’s initial death sentence was thrown out on appeal and he was sentenced a second time. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in March rejected an appeal that argued his trial legal help was deficient and that trial prosecutors used planted evidence against him.