JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) -- The Mississippi Court of Appeals has denied a request to overturn the conviction of a man serving time for sexual battery and exploitation of a child.
Joe Cane, 47, pleaded guilty to the charges in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court in February of 2010.
Cane was accused of having sexual contact with a minor and having sexually-explicit photos of a child.
He was sentenced to serve a total of eight years in prison on both counts following his plea in court.
Cane filed a motion for post-conviction relief claiming he didn't voluntarily enter the guilty plea, his attorney refused to take the case to trial, and he was denied a right to a speedy trial.
The Oktibbeha County Circuit Court denied the motion, and Cane appealed.
On Tuesday, the Mississippi Supreme Court upheld the decision saying Cane admitted to the court he was in fact guilty of the charges against him when he entered the guilty plea.
They also claim he gave up some of his rights to appeal by pleading guilty.
