Texas Man Appeals Sentence in Fatal Grand Forks Drug Case

A Texas man accused of selling synthetic drugs that killed local two teens is appealing his sentence.

Charles Carlton was sentenced a year ago to 20 years in prison for selling the drugs authorities say led to the 2012 deaths of 18-year-old Christian Bjerk, of Grand Forks, and 17-year-old Elijah Stai, of Park Rapids, Minnesota.

A judge earlier ruled he missed his window to appeal.

Carlton says his lawyer did a poor job of representing him and lists seven reasons why the sentence should be thrown out or reduced.