GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - A state appeals court has refused to let a Green Bay man withdraw his no-contest pleas to stabbing two men in a gang-related incident 16 years ago.

Shane Gressel, who’s now 35, is serving a 50-year prison term in Portage for killing Jeffrey Neosh and injuring Damon Schwartz.

The two were reportedly gang members, and the stabbings were part of Gressel’s initiation into a rival gang.

Two years ago, Gressel asked that no contest pleas be dropped. He said his lawyer was ineffective by not fully explaining possible penalties, among other things. And Gressel said he was under medication during his plea hearing.

A circuit judge would not re-consider the pleas. And Tuesday, the state appellate court said Gressel should have made his arguments earlier.