Shanterrica Madden

A Rutherford County judge denied a motion Monday requesting a new trial for Shanterrica Madden, who was sentenced in July to 29 years in prison for the murder of Lady Raider basketball player Tina Stewart.

Rutherford County Circuit Court Judge Don Ash denied the request, saying all issues listed in the motion had been addressed during the original trial.

Madden is the former Middle Tennessee State University student who admitted to stabbing Stewart to death during a March 2, 2011, altercation over drug allegations inside their shared off-campus apartment at Raider’s Crossing in Murfreesboro.

In May, a jury convicted Madden of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the case.

Prosecutors had sought a first-degree murder conviction, which would have resulted in Madden serving life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Defense attorney Joe Brandon Jr. filed the request in September on the grounds Madden failed to receive a fair trial, due in large part because Ash allowed jurors to ask questions during court proceedings.

Brandon also contends Madden should not have received such a long sentence because she was a first-time offender without any previous run-ins with law enforcement.

A challenge to the ruling will likely be filed with the Tennessee Court of Appeals.