Court rejects appeal in LR killing of girl

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by a man serving a life term for the killing of a 14-year-old England girl.

Talideen Tramal Davenport of North Little Rock was convicted in the 2005 death of Lyronica Riley. Riley was in a car with her boyfriend when they stopped at a gas station at 4 a.m. in Little Rock for something to eat.

Prosecutors say an argument broke out and that shots were fired. Riley was struck and died within minutes.

Davenport claimed his defense lawyer was ineffective for failing to object when the judge, and not the jury, imposed a sentence that was enhanced because a gun was used.

Justices said Thursday that Davenport couldn't prove that jurors would have reached a different conclusion.

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