State briefs

Okla. appeals court denies hearing in Busken death

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has denied a request for a new hearing for a 39-year-old man who was sentenced to death in the 1996 killing of a University of Oklahoma ballerina.

The appeals court handed down the decision Tuesday in the case of Anthony Sanchez, who was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 21-yearold Juli Busken of Benton.

Busken had completed her last semester at OU when she was abducted on Dec. 20, 1996. Her body was found that evening in southeast Oklahoma City. She had been raped and shot.

Among other things, Sanchez claims his race and the victim’s gender were factors in the death penalty he received. His attorney, Mark Barrett, says he’s disappointed by the court’s decision.

Search warrant application accuses senator of fraud

FORT SMITH — A search warrant application filed in U.S. District Court accuses an Arkansas senator of using more than $25,000 General Improvement Fund money for personal use. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the warrant against Republican Sen. Jake Files of Fort Smith was sought

in relation to violation of federal wire-fraud and money-laundering laws.

A U.S. attorney’s office spokesman said Monday that Files hasn’t been charged with any crimes.

The affidavit accuses Files of submitting fictitious bids for the city to receive $46,500 in GIF money for utility work at the city-owned River Valley Sports Complex at Chaffee Crossing.

Fort Smith terminated its contract with the complex in February after Files and Sebastian County Election Commissioner Lee Webb repeatedly missed deadlines to finish the project.

Files says he has been and will continue cooperating with law enforcement.