Newsmakers

Upheld An appeals court on Thursday in Iowa City, Iowa, upheld the first-degree murder conviction of a mentally ill man who shot and killed a beloved high school football coach, rejecting arguments that jurors were given improper instructions about his insanity defense. Mark Becker, 26, had argued that he was legally insane when he shot Aplington-Parkersburg High School Coach Ed Thomas in June 2009. A jury found Becker guilty last year and rejected his insanity defense. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Analyzed Brazilian prosecutors said they are looking again into the death of boxer Arturo Gatti. Brazilian investigators had ruled Gatti’s 2009 death a suicide, but a spokesman with the Pernambuco state prosecutor’s office told The Associated Press the case is being analyzed again. That comes after investigators in the U.S. presented evidence challenging whether the Italian-born, Canadian-raised boxer had killed himself.

Sentenced A man has been sentenced to 97 years in prison for shooting Memphis Grizzlies guard Antonio Burks. Criminal Court Judge Mark Ward sentenced 20-year-old Darquan Lynneral Swift for the July 2009 shooting and attempted robbery during a dice game behind a vacant duplex. Burks, who played at the University of Memphis, and another man were critically injured and others were robbed.

Eligible Suspended LSU receiver Russell Shepard will be eligible to return for the second-ranked Tigers’ fourth game of the season at West Virginia, LSU announced. Shepard, a starter, was suspended indefinitely before LSU’s season opener against Oregon for breaking an NCAA rule that bars discussing ongoing investigations with teammates.

Suspended Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd must sit out another game and arrange to repay about $2,700 to charity before he is eligible to compete. Floyd sat out Florida’s season opener last week and will do the same Saturday against UAB. The university declared Floyd ineligible for violating the NCAA’s preferential treatment rules. He received $2,500 over several months from an individual not associated with the university. Floyd used the money for living expenses, transportation and other expenses.