Jason Lee Keller loses appeal of conviction, death sentence in Harrison County capital murder

Jason Lee Keller (MDOC photo)
Jason Lee Keller (MDOC photo)
Jason Lee Keller (MDOC photo)

JACKSON, Mississippi (AP) — The Mississippi Supreme Court has upheld the capital murder and death sentence given Jason Lee Keller for the 2007 fatal shooting and robbery of a Harrison County convenience store owner.

Keller, now 33, was sentenced to die in 2009 for the death of 41-year-old Hat Nguyen. Prosecutors say the single mother of four was killed at the convenience store she owned.

On appeal, Keller argued statements he gave police while being treated in the hospital for a gunshot wound were inadmissible. Two were thrown out at his trial; the third was allowed as evidence.

In a 7-2 decision Thursday, the Supreme Court agreed the third statement was voluntarily given to authorities.

Two dissenting justices say the third statement should have been found inadmissible and Keller given a new trial.