The Altoona Mirror reports that James Franklin Rodgers is asking the federal court in Johnstown to overturn his murder conviction and have it vacated. Rodgers was sentenced to life after the murder of Patsy Lascoli back in the 1980’s. Rodgers was also accused of breaking into Lascoli’s home and robbing him before killing him. His attorneys are arguing that Rodgers is a reformed man, and should not have to finish his minimum term. The petition also claims that his original defense attorney Randall Miller did not present an adequate defense. Rodgers was a juvenile at the time, and his original sentence was overturned by a federal court. He was then re-sentenced by a Bedford County judge to 40 years to life.
