Neb. man appeals life sentence in fatal stabbing

Associated Press - October 11, 2009 3:15 PM ET

LEXINGTON, Neb. (AP) - A Cozad man is asking the Nebraska Supreme Court to overturn his life sentence in the stabbing death of a co-worker.

Stephen France was convicted in December of first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

Authorities have said France stabbed 46-year-old Dwayne Morrison of North Platte three times in the chest at Gothenburg Feed Mill Products, where both men worked.

France testified at trial that he felt threatened and feared for his life at the time of the December 2007 stabbing

Now, France is appealing. His attorney says the jury should have found him legally insane.

France had originally been deemed incompetent to stand trial, but was later deemed competent after receiving treatment at a psychiatric hospital.

Information from: KHAS-TV, http://www.khastv.com