Madison County Circuit Judge William Chapman III has denied a motion for a new trial from Carla Hughes, who was convicted last October in the deaths of a woman and her unborn child.

Chapman also on Monday refused to release Hughes on bond while she appeals her conviction.

Hughes was convicted on two counts of capital murder in the Nov. 29, 2006, deaths of Avis Banks and her unborn child.

Prosecutors say Hughes killed Banks so she could have Banks’ fiance, Keyon Pittman. They say Hughes and Pittman were romantically involved while both were teachers at Chastain Middle School.