A Cheyenne judge has denied a defense lawyer's request to dismiss a death penalty case.

Laramie County District Judge Peter Arnold on Wednesday denied a motion from a lawyer representing Nathaniel Castellanos of Cheyenne to dismiss his case.

Castellanos has pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder in connection with shootings at his house last summer.

Arnold denied defense lawyer Robert Rose's request to dismiss the case on the grounds that special prosecutor Michael Blonigen of Casper wasn't properly appointed. The judge also denied Rose's request to disqualify Blonigen on the grounds that he's related to two potential witnesses.

Arnold's rulings meant he didn't have to rule on Rose's request to seal court records. The Associated Press had asked to intervene to argue against sealing the records.

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