WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has turned away an appeal from a Texas death row inmate who was convicted of raping and killing a 19-year-old woman 18 years ago.

The justices on Monday let stand a lower court ruling that rejected inmate Rodney Reed’s plea for a new court hearing to determine whether his lawyers did enough to defend him at his trial for the murder of Stacey Stites of Bastrop, Texas.

Reed said he was having a secret romantic relationship with Stites, who was engaged to a local police officer. Reed first denied knowing Stites when questioned about her death.

A judge has set Reed’s execution for January 14.

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