The Montana Supreme Court has ruled against a convicted Ronan murderer who had asked for copies of files and evidence used to send him to prison for 120 years.

In a unanimous Oct. 20 decision, the court turned down a request that justices release of documents in the case of James Arthur Couture, 56, who was convicted of murdering 19-year-old Daniel McLeod and dumping his body into the Flathead River in 2004.

Couture has made several unsuccessful appeals to the Montana Supreme Court. In the latest appeal, Couture requested all evidence in the case, including an autopsy report, DNA evidence and emails sent between law enforcement or prosecutors.

He argued that the release of information was necessary for him to prepare a self-written defense in a pending federal appeal.

He claims his conviction has been unfair from the beginning.

The high court did not agree.

The justices ruled that orders to release information are only granted in extraordinary and rare circumstances and Couture’s claim had not passed that threshold. “Couture has attempted to obtain copies of documents through the District Court, which has denied his requests,” the justices wrote. “The court exercised reasoned judgment addressing his requests and issued orders with its rationale explaining the denials.”

Couture is not eligible for parole.

Reporter Megan Strickland can be reached at 758-4459 or mstrickland@dailyinterlake.com.