Judge Refuses To Overturn Guilty Plea Of Sharer Murderer

Last updated on Wednesday, January 9, 2008

(MADISON) - A Madison judge has ruled that a woman convicted in a 1992 torture-murder must remain behind bars.

32-year-old Melinda Loveless is serving a 60-year prison sentence in the death of 12-year-old Shanda Sharer.

Loveless had asked the judge to overturn her guilty plea, because she received ineffective counsel and signed a plea deal under duress.

Authorities have described Loveless as the ringleader who recruited three other teen girls to lure Shanda from her home.

Shanda was beaten, tortured, doused with gasoline and set on fire. Her body was dumped on a remote road.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com