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Judge Upholds Conviction In Miami Double Murder

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) - A British businessman convicted of a double murder in Miami hotel room nearly three decades ago has been denied a new trial.

On Friday, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge William Thomas upheld the conviction of Kris Maharaj, 75, for the 1986 murders of Derrick Moo Young and son Duane whose bodies were found in the Dupont Plaza Hotel.

Judge Thomas gave the defense 30 days to appeal his ruling.

Maharaj has been sitting in prison for 28 years after a jury found him guilty in the murders of two men because of a long-running business dispute.

In November, 2014, Maharaj's defense attorneys presented new evidence. They claim it was actually Colombian drug cartel kingpin Pablo Escobar who had the men killed because they had been stealing money from him. A former Miami cop, Michael Flynn, testified in Maharaj's defense saying he was framed by police.

The prosecution didn't buy it. They said the cartel of old openly flaunted killing enemies to send a message.

The victims' relatives are also convinced Maharaj did it.

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