PORTLAND (AP) – The state supreme court on Thursday upheld the conviction and 37-year sentence of a Portland man found guilty of murdering his long-time girlfriend.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled unanimously that there was enough evidence to convict Gregory Erskine of murdering Lisa Deprez, who was beaten in her Portland apartment, and that aggravating factors justified the judge’s sentence.

The court noted that Erskine made incriminating statements to police and that he had Deprez’s blood on his hands. Blood from Deprez was found on a hammer that was used to inflict a head injury, the court said.

Prosecutors characterized the case as one of ongoing domestic abuse that ended in tragedy on May 13, 2004, when Erskine covered Deprez’ mouth to keep her from screaming and struck her on the head with a hammer. The defense said Deprez was drunk and likely hit her head when she fell while changing her clothes in her Portland apartment.

Deprez was rushed to Maine Medical Center and died two days later from a swollen brain caused by a lack of oxygen that probably resulted from the accidental fall.

The court ruled that the 37-year sentence was justified by aggravating circumstances. Erskine was on bail for terrorizing and criminal threatening and was forbidden from having contact with Deprez or entering her apartment.