Inmate waited too long on appeal, says court

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court says a convicted murderer waited too long to ask the federal courts to overturn his conviction. The high court threw out an appeals court ruling saying California rules could not stop Charles W. Martin from appealing to federal court. Martin was sentenced to life in prison for robbery and murder in 1995. His appeal was turned down in state court. He then tried federal court in 2001, but was sent back to state court because he was trying to make new arguments. State courts and a federal judge then told him that he waited too long to bring up a new argument. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned that decision, but the high court said it was correct. The case is Walker v. Martin, 09-996. Published: Fri, Feb 25, 2011