A federal court has upheld the life sentence and conviction of Frank James, the man responsible for a harrowing attack on a subway car full of commuters at the 36th Street subway station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, in April 2022.

In 2023, the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York sentenced James to 10 life sentences—one for each of the 10 passengers harmed in the attack.

On Thursday, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit confirmed this ruling, emphasizing the gravity of James’ actions.

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During the appeal, defense attorneys contended that James did not act with the intent to kill and cited his mental illness as a factor that influenced his behavior during the attack. However, the federal court’s official statement countered these claims, asserting there was “ample evidence” that James had intended to kill as many people as possible.

The court’s opinion detailed disturbing evidence from the years leading up to the attack, noting that James had posted multiple videos online.

“In the years leading up to the attack, James posted multiple videos on the internet in which he either repeatedly discussed how the human population must be reduced, or praised and expressed a desire to copy the actions of notorious murderers like Ted Bundy,” the ruling read, highlighting the premeditated nature of his actions.