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Court to review conviction in Aplington-Parkersburg coach's death
DES MOINES - The Iowa Supreme Court has agreed to review the case of a man who was convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting of nationally known Iowa high school football coach Ed Thomas.
Mark Becker, 26, argued he was legally insane when he killed the Aplington-Parkersburg coach in June 2009. A jury rejected his insanity defense and found him guilty of first-degree murder in 2010. Becker was sentenced to life in prison.
In September, the Iowa Court of Appeals upheld Becker's conviction, rejecting arguments that jurors were given improper instructions about his insanity defense.
Becker appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court. The court, in an order released Tuesday, agreed to review his case.
Mark Becker during his sentencing at the Butler County Courthouse in Allison on April 14, 2010. (John Gaps III, AP/Pool)
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