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Judge Denies New Trial in IL Child Drowning Case
CLINTON, Ill. (AP) -- A judge has denied a man's request for a new trial in the 2003 drowning deaths of his then-girlfriend's three children in a central Illinois lake.

Maurice LaGrone wanted a new trial on the grounds that his lawyer provided ineffective counsel.

In a ruling Friday, DeWitt County Judge Garry Bryan disagreed. He said LaGrone's trial attorney, Jeff Justice, "exercised a high degree of skill and care" on the case.

LaGrone and ex-girlfriend Amanda Hamm were accused of strapping her three young children into her car and intentionally sinking the vehicle in Clinton Lake. They claimed the deaths were an accident.

LaGrone is serving a life sentence after being convicted of first-degree murder. Hamm was convicted of child endangerment and paroled in September.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
02 27 10 by Newsroom
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