The state Court of Appeals has upheld Christopher Eugene Roach’s 2008 murder conviction for the slaying of his former wife at a Gulfport hotel.

Authorities say Voncharter Bailey was found shot to death at the hotel in 2007. Roach was sentenced to life in prison after a Harrison County jury convicted him of murder.

The Appeals Court on Tuesday rejected Roach’s claims that prosecutors failed to prove he deliberately killed Bailey. Roach claims the evidence — at most — would have supported a conviction of manslaughter.

The Appeals Court says evidence showed Roach fought with Bailey, held her down and shot her six times.