TEXAS CITY, Texas (AP) - An appeals court has rejected a Texas judge’s order granting a new trial to a trucker convicted in the 2012 run-over death of a girl at a school bus stop.
The Galveston County Daily News (https://bit.ly/1Hi2ZHd ) reports the 14th Court of Appeals on Thursday affirmed the conviction of Hector Pena.
Pena was convicted of criminally negligent homicide after originally charged with manslaughter in the death of 11-year-old Christina Marie Lopez. The sixth-grader was struck as the rig made a turn in Texas City.
Pena was sentenced to four years in prison.
Judge Bret Griffin last September granted a new trial, ruling the conviction was not supported by evidence of recklessness.
The 14th Court of Appeals ruled the evidence supported the criminal charge.
Pena remains free on bond amid continuing appeals.
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Information from: The Galveston County Daily News, https://www.galvnews.com
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