Journal file photo
Pona
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- A lawyer for Charles "Manny" Pona argued to the Supreme Court Thursday that his conviction for murdering 15-year-old Jennifer Rivera should be overturned because jurors heard too much testimony about another murder Pona was linked to.
George West argued testimony about Pona being charged with the murder of Hector Feliciano was "overwhelmingly prejudicial."
A jury in 2010 convicted Pona of orchestrating Rivera's killing in 2000, the day before his trial in the murder of Feliciano was to begin. Rivera was expected to provide an eyewitness account of seeing Pona hop over a fence after Feliciano had been shot.
Jane McSoley argued Pona's convictions should be upheld because Superior Court Judge Robert Krause only allowed in testimony needed to prove motive.