OKLAHOMA CITY - The Latest on a former Oklahoma City police officer convicted of rape (all times local):

1:05 p.m.

The family of a former Oklahoma City police officer convicted of rape says it's devastated that a court has rejected his appeal.

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on Thursday upheld the convictions of 32-year-old Daniel Holtzclaw.

A statement from Holtzclaw's sister, Jenny Holtzclaw, said Holtzclaw is also devastated, but strong, and that the family will "pursue every available avenue" to prove his innocence and win his freedom.

Prosecutors accused Holtzclaw of targeting black women and girls while on duty. He was convicted in 2015 on 18 charges involving seven women and a teenage girl. He was sentenced to 263 years in prison.

Holtzclaw has maintained his innocence and is challenging evidence used against him, plus a "circus atmosphere" during his trial.

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Corrects that Holtzclaw was convicted on charges involving seven women and one teenage girl. He was accused by a total of 13 people.

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9:15 a.m.

An Oklahoma court has upheld rape and sexual assault convictions and a 263-year prison sentence for a former Oklahoma City police officer in a case watched closely by the Black Lives Matter movement and some conservatives.

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals on Thursday rejected appeal claims by 32-year-old Daniel Holtzclaw.

Holtzclaw has maintained his innocence. He's cited a lack of evidence, a "circus atmosphere" during his 2015 trial and his defence attorney's failure to show alternate ways DNA wound up on his pants.

An AP investigation highlighting Holtzclaw's case found about 1,000 officers in the U.S. lost their licenses for sexual misconduct over a six-year period.

Prosecutors accused Holtzclaw of targeting black women while on duty. He was convicted on 18 charges involving seven women and a teenage girl.

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11:30 p.m.

An Oklahoma court is set to decide an appeal from an ex-Oklahoma City police officer convicted of rape and other sexual assaults in a case that became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement and a mobilizing cause for some conservatives.

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals says it will issue an opinion Thursday in the appeal from 32-year-old Daniel Holtzclaw. He is serving 263 years in prison on 18 convictions. Prosecutors accused Holtzclaw of preying on black women he encountered on duty.

An AP investigation highlighting Holtzclaw's case found about 1,000 officers in the U.S. lost their licenses for sexual misconduct over a six-year period.

Holtzclaw has maintained his innocence and is challenging evidence used against him, plus a "circus atmosphere" during his 2015 trial.

News from © The Associated Press, 2019