Byron Smith Appeals Murder Convictions

ST. PAUL (AP) - Attorneys for a central Minnesota man convicted of murdering two teenagers who broke into his home are appealing the case to the state Supreme Court.

Defense attorney Steve Meshbesher wants a new trial for 65-year-old Byron Smith.

Meshbesher contends Judge Douglas Anderson made mistakes in not allowing certain witnesses to testify at Smith's trial.

Meshbesher contends those witnesses, psychologists and law enforcement personnel would have helped the jury understand Smith's state of mind.

Smith shot 17-year-old Nick Brady and 16-year-old Haile Kifer multiple times after they broke into his Little Falls home on Thanksgiving Day 2012.

Prosecutors argued Smith waited in his basement and intended to kill the teens.

Jurors convicted Smith of premeditated murder in April, and he was immediately sentenced to life without parole.