LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska Court of Appeals has upheld the manslaughter, weapons and drug-dealing convictions of an Iowa man.

Corey Brooks, of Council Bluffs, was sentenced last year to a minimum of 56 years in prison for the convictions, including his role in the September 2011 shooting death of 50-year-old James Asmus.

Asmus was found shot to death in a south Omaha garage. Prosecutors say a plan by Asmus to rob Brooks prompted the shooting.

Brooks appealed, arguing that the trial judge should not have allowed his statements to police to be admitted into evidence. He also argued that his trial attorney was ineffective.

The appeals court found Tuesday that Brooks’ arguments were without merit.