Man imprisoned for killing wife seeks new trial

  

HOUSTON -- A Houston-area man serving 99 years for killing his estranged wife wants a new trial because a court reporter died and some documents are missing.

The Houston Chronicle reported Wednesday that lawyers for Raymond Leal say some trial records can't be located. Attorney Lester Blizzard says about half of the trial transcripts are missing.

Leal in December pleaded guilty to murder in the 2009 shooting of Leida Prudencio. Leal was imprisoned Wednesday in the Bill Clements Unit.

Court reporter Brenda Burleigh died in an April traffic accident before transcribing portions of Leal's trial. Other court reporters searched her records but could not find complete backup recordings.

Prosecutor Alan Curry says Leal's guilty plea should stand.

Judge Denise Collins says backups were located for other pending appeals in her court.

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