Roger Eric Thorson was convicted of capital murder on June 3, 1987. Specifically, he was charged with the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Gloria McKinney, during the commission of a kidnapping on March 4, 1987. Thorson pleaded not guilty, and a second trial then proceeded on May 16, 1988. Due to a break-in that occurred in a motel room that two jurors were staying in, Thorson moved for a mistrial which was granted. Thorson’s new trial was on September 8, 1988, and he was found guilty as charged and his death sentence was returned. However, the court found the State had been allowed to preemptively strike a juror based solely on her religious affiliation. So the court reversed Thorson’s conviction and ordered a new trial. On June 3, 2002, Thorson’s third trial began. He was again found guilty and sentenced to death. Despite Thorson raising thirty-three assignments of error on direct appeal, which were found to be without any merit, Thorson’s convictions and sentencing were upheld.