MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The Minnesota Supreme Court has rejected the Star Tribune's bid for an explanation why a courtroom was closed during the trial of a Little Falls man convicted of killing two teenage intruders.

In an order Tuesday, the court said the newspaper can refile the motion if the issue of the closing is raised on appeal.

Byron Smith's case is on appeal while he serves two life sentences for fatally shooting cousins Nicholas Brady and Haile Kifer after they broke into his home on Thanksgiving 2012.

Minnesota's largest newspaper says it would have opposed the courtroom closing on the day of opening statements had it known about it.

John Borger, a Star Tribune attorney, said the newspaper will renew its request should Smith raise the issue, as the paper expects.

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