Court upholds execution for Klaas killer

SACRAMENTO, June 1 (UPI) -- California's highest court Monday upheld the death sentence imposed on Richard Allen Davis for the abduction and murder of Polly Klaas.

Davis was a violent habitual criminal when he kidnapped and killed Polly Klaas in 1993. She was 12 when she was taken from her Petaluma, Calif., home during a slumber party with two other children.

Nationwide furor over the case contributed to passage of California's three-strikes law in 1994, mandating sentences of 25 year to life for anyone convicted of a felony following two convictions for violent felonies.

The case led Polly Klaas's father, Marc Klaas, to establish The Polly Klaas Foundation, a non-profit that helps search for missing children.

Davis has challenged his conviction and sentence, claiming his confession was illegally obtained and his trial was unfairly affected by publicity surrounding the case.

The California Supreme Court is still considering a constitutional challenge brought by Davis and he could pursue further appeals in federal court. Assistant California Attorney General Ronald Matthias said federal appeals could delay an execution of Davis for up to 15 years.

A frustrated Marc Klaas, 60, said Monday he has "no doubt that (Davis) is going to outlive me."