MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - A former Middle Tennessee State University student convicted of killing her basketball star roommate will continue to fight for a new trial, even if it means going to the U.S. Supreme Court.
A Rutherford County judge turned down Shanterrica Madden's request for a new trial on Tuesday.
Her attorney, Joe Brandon, said they will file an appeal with the State Court of Appeals. If it's turned down there, he said he will take the case to the Tennessee Supreme Court and even the U.S. Supreme Court.
Madden and her attorney said jurors in the case shouldn't have been allowed to ask the witnesses questions.
Madden was convicted in May of second-degree murder in the March 2, 2011, death of Stewart, also from Memphis, at an off-campus apartment they shared.
At her trial, Madden acknowledged stabbing Stewart but claimed she had acted in self-defense against her larger and more athletic roommate. Prosecutors argued that Madden's action was premeditated after Stewart reported her for smoking marijuana.
She took the stand in her own defense, and apologized to Stewart's family.
Jurors ruled Madden did not act in self-defense, but they also didn't find the act was premeditated-- therefore the lesser charge of second degree murder.
She was also convicted of tampering with evidence. She was sentenced in July to 29 years in prison on both charges.
The 21-year-old Stewart was a veteran on the Lady Raiders team. Her boyfriend testified he had planned to propose to her after she graduated.
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