Convictions Upheld in Restaurant Owner's Death

A state appeals court has upheld a man's convictions for his role in a burglary that led to the beating death of the owner of popular New Orleans restaurant.

Thursday's ruling by a panel from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeal affirms Bryant Boudoin's convictions on charges of second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.

The Times-Picayune reports that Boudoin's convictions stem from a May 2008 break-in at Elizabeth "Betsy" McDaniel's Marrero home. McDaniel owned Betsy's Pancake House in New Orleans.

Boudoin was convicted in 2011 of being a principal to the murder. A second-intruder who allegedly beat McDaniel while Boudoin ransacked the home was never identified.

Boudoin is serving a mandatory sentence of life in prison. He has insisted he is innocent.