Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks, who prosecuted the case, goes into detail behind the 2010 murder trial of Brianna Denison. Convicted murderer James Biela was denied a new trial on Aug. 18, 2016. Marcella Corona/RGJ
![James Biela is serving a death sentence in the 2008]()
1 of 139![Brianna Denison was 19 years old when she was murdered]()
2 of 139![Brianna Denison's aunt, Michelle Jones, participates]()
3 of 139![Brianna Denison's mother, Bridgette Denison, and her]()
4 of 139![A volunteer looks under the sagebrush Jan. 29, 2008,]()
5 of 139![Darrin Vaughn looks out into Washoe Valley while searching]()
6 of 139![Brianna Denison]()
7 of 139![Investigators gather around a woman's body that was]()
8 of 139![A Washoe County Sheriff's Search and Rescue unit combs]()
9 of 139![This undated picture made available shows Brianna Denison.]()
10 of 139![A sign for missing woman Brianna Denison stands near]()
11 of 139![Search volunteer Debbie Fletcher removes a Brianna]()
12 of 139![Volunteer Harry Stetzell ties a blue ribbon (Brianna]()
13 of 139![Friends of Brianna Denison remember her during her]()
14 of 139![Leilani Schweitzer of Reno and Angel Action protest]()
15 of 139![A woman cries during Brianna Denison's Live Love and]()
16 of 139![Dozens of notes, flowers and stuffed animals created]()
17 of 139![Aida Heiman of Reno comforts her daughter, Rachael,]()
18 of 139![A photo of Brianna Denison at the memorial was erected]()
19 of 139![An unknown man takes a moment in February 2008 to reflect]()
20 of 139![Jeff Blevins submitted this photo taken at a Brianna]()
21 of 139![A family member reads during a memorial service for]()
22 of 139![Debbie Fletcher places a ribbon on the memorial site]()
23 of 139![James Biela has been charged in the killing of Brianna]()
24 of 139![Spectators, waiting to get into a separate courtroom]()
25 of 139![James Biela reacts to a question from his attorney]()
26 of 139![James Biela, right, waits for his murder trial to start]()
27 of 139![Deputy district attorney Elliott Sattler talks with]()
28 of 139![James Biela sits pensively while waiting to the jury]()
29 of 139![Reno Police Det. David Jenkins describes how a hood]()
30 of 139![Convicted murder is led into court July 30, 2010, for]()
31 of 139![Murderer James Biela, already sentenced to death in]()
32 of 139![Liz O'Brien, James Biela's aunt testifies June 1, 2010,]()
33 of 139![Deputy district attorney Elliott Sattler talks with]()
34 of 139![James Biela, convicted on all charges Thursday, glances]()
35 of 139![James Biela was full of smiles May 19, 2010, before]()
36 of 139![Washoe County Sheriff's Sgt. John Hamilto and his K-9]()
37 of 139![James Bieal, convicted of the murder of Brianna Denison]()
38 of 139![Kristi Jackson, sister of James Biela, wipes away a]()
39 of 139![Denison family members clasp hands as the sentencing]()
40 of 139![Elliott Sattler, deputy district attorney talks with]()
41 of 139![Jay Slocum, deputy public defender, makes his opening]()
42 of 139![James Biela talks with his attorney Maizie Pusich prior]()
43 of 139![Maizie Pusich, chief deputy public defender in court]()
44 of 139![With black gloved hands Vince Miller accepts a swab]()
45 of 139![Kristi Jackson, sister of James Biela, weeps June 1,]()
46 of 139![Carol Pearce, grandmother of slain Brianna Denison]()
47 of 139![Elliott Sattler, deputy district attorney, hugs Bridgette]()
48 of 139![Jeff Rolands formerly a DNA analyst with the Washoe]()
49 of 139![James Michael Biela on trial for the 2008 rape and]()
50 of 139![John Latham, who worked with James Biela around the]()
51 of 139![A tear falls from the eye of Kristi Jackson, sister]()
52 of 139![Murder defendant James Biela is led from court during]()
53 of 139![The family of murder victim Brianna Denison await the]()
54 of 139![Deputy district attorney Elliott Sattler shows the]()
55 of 139![Bridgette Denison, mother of murder victim Brianna]()
56 of 139![Elliott Sattler, deputy district attorney, asks prospective]()
57 of 139![Chris Hicks, deputy district attorney, points to murder]()
58 of 139![Layla Ramm, a friend of James Biela's ex-girlfriend,]()
59 of 139![Court clerk Linda Lopez reads each verdict against]()
60 of 139![Spectators gather in courtroom one May 26, 2010, for]()
61 of 139![Jay Slocum, one of James Biela's attorneys, second]()
62 of 139![James Biela during jury selection May 10, 2010. Biela]()
63 of 139![Defense attorney Jay Slocum, facing camera, talks with]()
64 of 139![Prosecutors and defense attorneys, along with Judge]()
65 of 139![Bridgette Denison, third from right, listens to comments]()
66 of 139![Wearing bright orange clogs and a red jumpsuit, James]()
67 of 139![Washoe County detective Victor Ruvalcaba testifes May]()
68 of 139![Layla Ramm, a friend of James Biela's ex-girlfriend,]()
69 of 139![James Biela also wore a flak jacket and handcuffs throughout]()
70 of 139![Judge Robert Perry sits behind a photograph displayed]()
71 of 139![Deputy district attorney Chris Hicks on May 7, 2010.]()
72 of 139![Judge Robert Perry stands next to the jury box May]()
73 of 139![James Biela's mother, Kathy Lovell, began her testimony]()
74 of 139![James Leslie, deputy public defender, left, and Elliott]()
75 of 139![Kimberley Eastman, older sister of James Biela, tells]()
76 of 139![Deputy district attorney Elliott Sattler, with a photo]()
77 of 139![Bridgette Denison, mother of murder victim Brianna]()
78 of 139![Deputy Washoe County District Attorney Elliott Sattler]()
79 of 139![During his closing argument May 26, 2010, Elliott Sattler]()
80 of 139![Murder defendant James Michael Biela, with one of his]()
81 of 139![James Biela sits with his head bowed during some of]()
82 of 139![Deputy district attorney Elliott Sattler prepares to]()
83 of 139![Convicted murderer James Biela sits quiety while waiting]()
84 of 139![Murder defendant James Biela, center, leaves court]()
85 of 139![Judge Robert Perry looks over a juror question before]()
86 of 139![With head bowed, murderer James Biela looks at paperwork]()
87 of 139![James Biela prepares to enter the courtroom after lunch]()
88 of 139![Murder defendant James Michael Biela is led from court]()
89 of 139![During his closing argument May 26, 2010, Elliott Sattler]()
90 of 139![Retired Reno Police detective hugs Bob Zunino, Brianna]()
91 of 139![Soorya Townley, mother of murder victim Charla Mack,]()
92 of 139![K.T. Hunter, with whom Brianna Denison was staying]()
93 of 139![Once the trial was officially over, people could once]()
94 of 139![Family members and court personnel line up outside]()
95 of 139![Off and on, James Biela would stare at the judge during]()
96 of 139![Deputy district attorney Elliott Sattler grabs a bag]()
97 of 139![Washoe County District Attorney Richard Gammick, right,]()
98 of 139![Deputy district attorney Elliott Sattler describes]()
99 of 139![Kimberley Eastman, older sister of James Biela, tells]()
100 of 139![Prosecutor Chris Hicks watches a video May 17, 2010,]()
101 of 139![District Judge Robert Perry makes a point during the]()
102 of 139![Bridgette Denison, mother of murder victim Briana Denison,]()
103 of 139![Elliott Sattler, deputy district attorney, shows the]()
104 of 139![Deputy district attorney Elliott Sattler confers with]()
105 of 139![Prosecutors Elliott Sattler, left, and Chris Hicks,]()
106 of 139![Murder defendant James Biela confers with Maizie Pusich,]()
107 of 139![Head lowered, James Biela listens as Judge Robert Perry]()
108 of 139![Convicted murderer James Biela sat with his head bowed]()
109 of 139![Kathy Lovell, surrounded by family members, waits for]()
110 of 139![A box with files about trial witnesses sits on the]()
111 of 139![Deputy district attorneys Chris Hicks, left, and Elliott]()
112 of 139![With head lowered, murder defendant James Biela leaves]()
113 of 139![For the jury's benefit, defense attorney Jay Slocum]()
114 of 139![While the testimony of defense witnesses continues]()
115 of 139![Prosecutor Elliott Sattler shows the jury a photo of]()
116 of 139![Elliott Sattler, deputy district attorney, and Brigette]()
117 of 139![Judge Robert Perry studies papers while the two sides]()
118 of 139![Jeff Biela, brother of convicted murderer James Biela,]()
119 of 139![After receiving four life sentences July 30, 2010,]()
120 of 139![With a photo of the interior of James Biela reflected]()
121 of 139![Angie Hamlin, who used to date James Biela, told the]()
122 of 139![Murder defendant James Biela, center, watches a monitor]()
123 of 139![A photo of James Biela's father, Joe, shown to the]()
124 of 139![Murder defendant James Biela with his attoney, Maizie]()
125 of 139![Kathy Lovell, mother of James Biela who was convicted]()
126 of 139![Washoe County crime lab forensic investigator Candace]()
127 of 139![Washoe County crime scene investigator Candace Potts]()
128 of 139![Surrounded by lawyers, James Biela listens to questioning]()
129 of 139![James Biela appears to be taking notes during testimony]()
130 of 139![Mike Metcalf, a network operations technician with]()
131 of 139![Detective Troy Callahan shows one of two pairs of women's]()
132 of 139![Judge Robert Perry examines a piece of evidence while]()
133 of 139![James Biela is led from the courtroom after being sentenced]()
134 of 139![Photos of Brianna Denison are shown on a larger monitor]()
135 of 139![Bridgette Denison, Brianna Denison's mother, looks]()
136 of 139![Bridgette Denison can be seen reflected in a monitor]()
137 of 139![Defense attorney James Leslie goes over the mitigating]()
138 of 139![Biela family photos are shown on a large monitor as]()
139 of 139
TIMELINE OF THE CASE AGAINST JAMES BIELA
OCT. 22, 2007: A University of Nevada, Reno student is raped in a parking garage.
DEC. 16, 2007: Another UNR student is taken from her apartment and sexually assaulted.
JAN. 20, 2008: 4:30 a.m., Brianna Denison goes missing from 1395 Mackay Court.
JAN. 22, 2008: The FBI, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and University of Nevada, Reno police join the search.
JAN. 24, 2008: Friends of Denison conduct a vigil at Reno High School.
JAN. 25, 2008: Rally at Lawlor Events Center.
Story from January 2008: Police say man who took Brianna Denison committed earlier assault
JAN. 27, 2008: Police establish a DNA link between Denison's abduction and a December kidnapping and rape of a UNR student.
JAN. 31, 2008: Reno police say a UNR student reported she was raped in a campus parking garage Oct. 22. Police said the cases have similar characteristics, but the October case has not been connected with the others.
FEB. 2, 2008: Denison case featured on "America's Most Wanted" TV show.
FEB. 4, 2008: Washoe County sheriff asks private sector for $150,000 in donations to help process a backlog of 3,000 DNA samples from convicted offenders.
FEB. 8, 2008: Sheriff says $150,000 goal surpassed to eliminate the DNA backlog
FEB. 15, 2008: A woman's body is found in south Reno.
From February 2008: Obituary of Brianna Denison
FEB. 16, 2008: Authorities confirm the body is Brianna Denison, killed by strangulation.
FEB 23, 2008: More than 3,000 mourners attend the "Live, Love and Unite" ceremony held in honor of Denison at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
MARCH 13, 2008: Washoe County Crime Laboratory officials say Denison's killer was not among the nearly 3,000 DNA samples processed after the fund drive, but 30 unsolved cases were linked to known offenders.
MARCH 30, 2008: On what would have been Denison's 20th birthday, a crowd shares cake and memories of her at a five-hour gathering at permanent memorial in Reno. She is buried next to her father at an undisclosed location in California.
APRIL 5, 2008: More than 4,000 tips flood the Reno Police Department in the Denison investigation.
MAY 6, 2008: UNR police create a reserve force of officers in response to sexual assaults on or near the campus.
MAY 14, 2008: About 35 religious leaders pray for leads to aid in the capture of Denison's killer.
AUG. 18-22, 2008: UNR new student orientation informs students of 25 new emergency blue lights that, when pushed, will summon police to arrive at the scene within two minutes.
SEPT. 1, 2008: Denison family launches a blue-ribbon campaign called "Tie a Ribbon for Bri Day."
NOV. 1, 2008: Friends and family of Brianna Denison's mother, Bridgette Denison, open the Bring Bri Justice Foundation to support crime victims and lobby for advancements in DNA laws and stricter punishments against violent and sexual criminals.
Also, Secret Witness receives a tip that James Biela's behavior allegedly fits that reported of the suspect.
NOV. 7, 2008: A Reno police detective interviews Biela. The detective requests a DNA sample, and Biela refuses.
NOV. 12, 2008: Detectives determine Biela sold a vehicle that matched victims' descriptions. Biela's girlfriend allows detectives to get a DNA sample from the couple's son.
Column from June 2010: Siobhan McAndrew - If only we could go back
NOV. 25, 2008: The son's DNA sample indicates he is related to the suspect in Denison's death, police say.
NOV. 25, 2008: Detectives obtain an arrest warrant, book Biela into Washoe County Jail and test his DNA.
NOV. 26, 2008: Police report confirmation that Biela's DNA matches the suspect's DNA. He is charged with raping and killing Brianna Denison, a 19-year-old college student, kidnapping and sexually assaulting another student, and raping a third.
JAN. 8, 2009: District attorney announces that he intends to seek the death penalty against Biela.
Story from May 2010: Testimony details discovery of body, Brianna Denison death
MAY 12, 2010: The trial against James Biela begins. Eight women and six men were chosen to decide the case after a two-day jury-selection.
JUNE 2, 2010: James Biela is found guilty of the rape and murder of Denison and sexually assaulting two other college students. He is sentenced to death
Story from July 2010: James Biela gets death, plus 4 life sentences for Brianna Denison murder, other crimes
JULY 30, 2010: Judge Robert Perry sentenced James Biela to four consecutive life prison terms with parole possible after 36 years for raping three women and for kidnapping one of them.
Story from May 2013: Brianna's Law officially becomes Nevada state law
MAY 2013: Brianna's Law is signed into law by Gov. Brian Sandoval. The bill mandates a DNA cheek swap of every person booked on a felony arrest.
Story from August 2016: James Biela denied new trial for murder of Brianna Denison
AUG. 18, 2016: Convicted murderer James Biela is denied a new trial.