LOS ANGELES (AP) - The state Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for a man convicted of killing four women in Southern California during a crime spree more than 20 years ago.

The court rejected claims from Dean Phillip Carter that errors were made in his trials in Los Angeles and San Diego counties.

Carter was convicted in Los Angeles of the April 1984 strangulation deaths of two women in Culver City and one woman in West Los Angeles. He was convicted separately in San Diego County of the April 1984 murder of Janette Cullins and sentenced to death.

Carter also was convicted of a 1984 rape of a woman in San Diego County. He was a suspect in the death of a fifth woman in Oakland in 1984, but authorities dismissed charges after he was given the death sentences in L-A and San Diego counties.

-

On the Net:

Deadman Talking: http://www.deadmantalking.com

©2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.