A motion for a new trial for former Rome businessman Lance Walker – has been denied.

That decision was handed down by the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Walker was convicted of Aggravated Child Molestation and Sodomy, in a Bench Trial taking place August 13th of 2013 in Floyd County Superior Court; he was sentenced to 25 years in prison and ordered to spend the remainder of his life on probation; he was also required to register as a sex offender.

Afterwards Walker appealed, saying the two charges should have been merged since those charges related to the same act, would have resulted in a lesser sentence; the court denied the request, saying multiple charges can be filed for the same act.

Part of the evidence presented during that trial included a taped interview between Walker and police investigators in which he admitted to having sexual contact with the victim.

Walker is the former owner of Walker Orthopedics in Rome.

(WRGA/www.wrgarome.com)