Appeals court denies new trial for Grangeville businessman

gavel1.jpgThe 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a former Grangeville businessman convicted of plotting the deaths of a federal judge, prosecutor and tax agent won’t get a new trial after all.

David Hinkson, who owned the mineral water company WaterOz, was convicted in 2005 of conspiring to pay a business associate and another man $10,000 to kill the three federal officials. All three were involved in a federal tax case against Hinkson’s business.

Last year, a 3-judge panel of the 9th Circuit ruled that Hinkson be given a new trial because the government’s star witness lied under oath. But now an 11-judge review has overturned the panel decision – which means Hinkson has been denied a new trial.

Hinkson is serving a 43-year-sentence in a federal prison in Colorado. (AP)

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