Convicted killer Christopher Nicholas Orlando will stay behind bars after the parole board opted to deny his request for parole.

Orlando, now 45, is serving a 35-year sentence for the death of Joshua Murphy who was gunned down in the Laurel Creek area off Old Eagle Creek Road in September 2002. His body was found three days later and Orlando, along with Melvin Turnbill, now 46, were arrested for the slaying the 20-year-old.

Orlando was eventually convicted for the killing in 2004 and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Turnbill copped a guilty plea to the charge of facilitation of murder and was given 25 years. Turnbill has since been released on parole, something Orlando was hoping to happen for him this time. However, the parole board decreed he must serve at least two more years of his sentence before again asking for early release.

Their decision comes despite the fact that Orlando has finally owned up to being the person who pulled the trigger and killed Murphy. Prior to his hearing a couple of years ago, Orlando had blamed his partner in crime, Turnbill, for firing the fatal shot. Turnbill maintained he handed Orlando the shotgun and it was Orlando who pulled the trigger.