Appeals Court Affirms Life Sentence For Tulsa Murderer

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the life sentence of a 45-year-old man prosecutors allege shot another man to death over a gold necklace.

The court handed down the ruling Friday for Randle Lockett, who was convicted of first-degree murder by a Tulsa County jury in the September 21, 2013, shooting death of 21-year-old Charles Johnson.

Prosecutors maintained that Lockett shot Johnson because he wanted the necklace back. Lockett told police he gave Johnson the necklace in exchange for some crack cocaine, but he later testified he had merely loaned the necklace to Johnson.

9/21/2013 Related Story: Tulsa Man Arrested For Murder After Shooting At McKinley Apartments

Among other things, Lockett's appeal alleged prosecutors acted improperly and his defense attorney was ineffective at his trial. 

The Department of Corrections show Lockett is currently housed at the Conner Correctional Center in Hominy.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.