MURFREESBORO, TN (WSMV) -
A former MTSU student convicted of killing her roommate wants another day in court. The attorney for Shanterrica Madden has filed a motion seeking a new trial claiming there wasn't enough evidence to convict her.
Shanterrica Madden didn't have anything to say after being convicted of second-degree murder back in May. She is accused of stabbing her former roommate, MTSU basketball player Tina Stewart, to death in their off-campus apartment. But the Memphis native doesn't feel she got a fair trial, according to court documents.
"We are entitled to a new trial. Unquestionably, we are entitled to a new trial," defense attorney Joe Brandon said.
The motion for a new trial was filed last month. In a nutshell, it's claiming there was insufficient evidence to support the conviction. It's alleged in the motion that the sentence imposed by the court was excessive and not in compliance with the law, and Madden's constitutional rights were violated by allowing jurors to ask questions.
The DA's office said that asking for a new trial is nothing out of the ordinary.
"We've reviewed the motion for a new trial, and there is nothing in there that surprises us," said J. Paul Newman, Rutherford County Assistant District Attorney. "We believe the judge conducted a fair and just trial. We don't believe any errors were made. We think that the motion for a new trial will be dismissed," he said.
The motion also claims Madden was given due process after Judge Don Ash refused to recuse himself from the case because of alleged ties to MTSU.
No date has been set to hear the motion. The court is waiting on transcripts from the trial to be completed.
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