Death row inmate's conviction overturned

meredithMachen By Meredith Machen
POSTED: 12:32 PM Sep 06 2012   UPDATED: 5:39 PM Sep 06 2012
NEW TRIAL
KINSPORT, Tenn. -

A man convicted of murdering a Colonial Heights bait shop owner could get a new trial.

That's the decision from the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals on the trial of Steven James Rollins. Rollins was convicted in 2003 of robbing and stabbing John Bussell to death two years earlier.

The court cited Rollins was denied a fair and impartial jury as well as effective council.

District Attorney Barry Staubus tells News 5 it's possible the Tennessee Supreme Court could overturn that decision. If not, Rollins will get a new trial.

  • Copyright 2013 by WCYB All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.