Rhodes loses last state court appeal

GOSHEN – The State Court of Appeals, New York’s highest court, has declined to hear an appeal of Christopher Rhodes, who is serving a life sentence for killing his seven-year-old daughter, Jerica, at the Sacred Heart School in Highland Falls.

District Attorney Frank Phillips said Rhodes’ appeals to have his sentence tossed have reached an end.

“This decision by the State Court of Appeals effectively ends the appellate process in state court,” he said.

Defendants have the option of appealing to the federal courts, Phillips said.

Rhodes was convicted of driving his daughter to school and killing her in a bathroom at the start of the school day.