KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Biela Sentenced to Four Life Sentences, in Addition to Death
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RENO (AP) -- A judge has added four consecutive life prison terms for a Nevada man who already has been sentenced to death for the 2008 murder of a 19-year-old college coed on the edge of the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno.
A Washoe County District Court jury convicted 28-year-old James Biela in June of strangling Brianna Denison and voted unanimously to execute him by lethal injection.
Washoe District Judge Robert Perry added the four life terms on Friday for the rape of another young woman and kidnapping and sexual assault of a third.
Washoe County Deputy District Attorney Elliott Sattler says the additional maximum sentences are needed to guard against the chance that any of the convictions are overturned on appeal.
