State High Court Upholds Conviction in Drunken-Driving Case

Raleigh, N.C. — The North Carolina Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man convicted twice in the death of a Durham girl.

Authorities said Timothy Blackwell was drunk and high on drugs when he killed Megan Dail in 1997.

Blackwell was convicted of first-degree murder, but the conviction was later overturned. Four years ago, Blackwell was retried, found guilty and sentenced to up to 50 years in prison.

Blackwell's lawyers argued that the presiding judge in the case did not follow the law when he handed down that sentence.

The state Supreme Court ruled the judge did make a mistake but did not break the law when handing down Blackwell's sentence.