Oklahoma appeals court affirms life sentence in man's death

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the life prison sentence of a 24-year-old man convicted of shooting another man to death following a fight.

The court on Thursday upheld the sentence of Larry Lawson III, who was convicted in Garfield County of first-degree murder in the July 15, 2015, death of 21-year-old Michael Ryan Hayes.

Police say Lawson told investigators he shot Hayes after he and three friends had gone to a residence to fight. Authorities say Lawson told police the shooting occurred after the fight when he returned to the residence.

Among other things, the appeals court rejected claims by Lawson that he was denied a fair trial. His attorney, Wyndi Hobbs, didn't immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

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