Appeal Denied For Man Who Murdered OU Student In 1996

The man convicted of killing an OU student 26 years ago has been denied his latest appeal.

Anthony Sanchez was found guilty in the murder of Juli Busken, a 21-year-old student who disappeared from her apartment in Norman on the morning of Dec. 20, 1996 and was found dead on the shore of Lake Stanley Draper later that day.

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Sanchez had claimed that his father was the real killer, but DNA evidence disproved that.

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Sanchez was convicted for her murder in 2006.

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Attorney General Gentner Drummond released a statement:

“I thank the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals for their rejection of Anthony Sanchez’s appeal,” Attorney General Gentner Drummond said. “Not only has Sanchez refused to admit his guilt, he even tried to accuse his father of committing the murder — a desperate and cowardly accusation that DNA testing has proven to be false. The Court’s ruling brings us closer to finally seeing that justice is served for Juli Busken. My thoughts are with Juli’s family and friends as the execution date approaches.”

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