A confessed killer appealing his 32 years to life prison sentence is asking for a new trial.

Now a judge who heard the arguments from both sides in court two weeks ago says he isn't convinced.

In 2002, Todd Robert Briggs admitted to a Bonneville County judge that he shot and killed his ex-fiance Melissa Garcia at her parents' Idaho Falls home in October 2001.

In 2002, Briggs was sentenced to serve up to life in prison, but since then has been appealing his conviction.

Now, a judge ruled against his efforts. In a lengthy written decision, Judge Joel Tingey says that Todd Briggs cannot get post-conviction relief, because the evidence does not show his counsel was ineffective during the first post-conviction relief effort, as he claims.

Briggs originally appealed his 2002 sentence, saying it was too excessive, but it was ruled in 2003 that the sentences were not. So he appealed a second time in a successive post-conviction relief.

Briggs was convicted of Melissa Garcia's murder and also for two counts of aggravated assault: one for trying to run over Melissa just a few days before she was killed and for shooting a college student in the leg at her Rexburg apartment while Briggs was trying to escape from police.

He pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty and is serving 32 years to life.

Judge Tingey ruled that he is not convinced of Briggs' allegations that his post-conviction relief counsel was ineffective and dismissed the motion.

Prosecutor Dane Watkins Junior says Briggs can file another appeal. This time, on Judge Tingey's recent decision.

Briggs is not eligible for parole until 2034.