Love loses second appeal in murder of Rider football star

A man convicted in connection with the murder of a high school football star in Wichita Falls in 2015 has lost his second appeal to a higher court.

Texas' Second Court of Criminal Appeals on Thursday upheld the engaging in organized criminal activity-murder conviction of Justin Michael Love, 35.

This was the second time Love appealed his conviction in the June 2, 2015, murder of 21-year-old Domanic Thrasher.

Love was granted a new trial upon his first appeal of a conviction and 50-year sentence that was handed down in 2018. But in his second trial in 2022. the jury gave him harsher punishment — life in prison.

Love will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years of his sentence.

More: Justin Love sentenced to life for Domanic Thrasher murder

Thrasher, a star running back for the former Rider High School in the 2011-2012 seasons, was shot and killed near the intersection of Yuma Trail and Gunnison Street in north Wichita Falls.

Court affidavits filed in the case indicated the shooting resulted from a marijuana transaction that went awry.

Two other people were charged in connection with the crime.  Blayne William Brooks was sentenced to 60 years in prison and lost a subsequent appeal. In a plea deal, Whitney Mercedes O’Brien was sentenced to 15 years for a reduced charge of manslaughter.

More: Wichita County prosecutor: Love was 'criminal mastermind' in drug ring, ordered Thrasher shot

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This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Love loses second appeal in murder of Rider football star