The California Supreme Court has upheld the convictions and death sentence for serial killer Richard Ramirez

Associated Press:

Ramirez, 46, was sentenced to death in 1989 for 13 murders in 1984 and 1985.

Satanic symbols were left at murder scenes and the killer, who entered homes through unlocked windows and doors, forced some victims to "swear to Satan."

The justices unanimously rejected claims that Ramirez was incompetent to stand trial, that the trial should have been moved outside Los Angeles, and that all the killings should not have been handled at one trial.

The court also rejected a claim that Ramirez should have been denied his choice of lawyers.

His appellate team said the trial lawyers he chose were incompetent; although the trial judge warned Ramirez against retaining the two lawyers, he did not disqualify the pair.

Ramirez's execution is not likely to be scheduled for years because of possible federal appeals.

Our reluctance to punish evil