Minn. high court reviews conviction in park murder

A 38-year-old man serving life in prison in the murder of a Blue Mounds State Park worker is asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to overturn his conviction.

The state's highest court hears arguments Thursday in Randy Swaney's appeal. He was convicted in 2008 of killing Carrie Nelson seven years earlier at the Luverne-area state park where she worked.

Authorities believe Nelson was beaten to death with a decorative rock during a robbery in the park office. Swaney wasn't charged until May 2007.

He has maintained he is innocent and deserves a new trial. His attorneys are taking issue with how evidence and witness testimony was handled during his trial.

The oral arguments will take place in front of students at Hamline Law School.

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