Oklahoma court to rule on appeal of ex-cop convicted of rape

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals says it will issue an opinion this week in an appeal filed by a former Oklahoma City police officer convicted of rape and other sexual assaults.

The court says it will issue an opinion Thursday in the case of 32-year-old Daniel Holtzclaw, who is appealing his 18 convictions and 263-year prison sentence. Holtzclaw was accused of preying on black women he encountered while on duty.

Holtzclaw has maintained his innocence and is challenging the evidence used to convict him, as well as a “circus atmosphere” of attention during his 2015 trial.

Questions about DNA evidence were kept under seal by the court for 17 months because of personnel records that are confidential under Oklahoma law.