A man in prison for murder who wants to change his name has had his case accepted by the New Hampshire Supreme Court.James Covington said he wants to change his name to Jamauri to reflect his Islamic faith.In 2000, Covington pleaded guilty to killing his ex-girlfriend in 1999. In 2022, he filed a petition to change his name that was granted. That change was later reversed after the state objected.Covington filed a motion for reconsideration, which also was rejected. The judge wrote at the time that his motion "fails to state points of fact or law that were overlooked or misapprehended by the court.">> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<In accepting the case, the state Supreme Court order said that the case "appears to be eligible for mediation."Covington said in a filing that he is willing to go to mediation and offered a compromise. He had previously requested to change his name to Jamauri Abdul Haleem, but in a filing dated Nov. 18, he said he's willing to accept Jamauri Covington."Jamauri pays homage to my Islamic faith, and the last name Covington will be kept paying homage to my deceased mother," he wrote in the filing.In objecting to the name change, the state has said that it would pose an administrative burden. Covington is serving a sentence of 30 years to life in prison, and the state said he could get lost in the system if he changes his name. The state said the name change could also cause confusion in the prison, giving the example of making it more difficult to know which inmates are safe to be around each other. But Covington argued that by denying the change, the state is violating his constitutional right to practice his religion.It remains to be seen whether there will be any oral arguments made before the state Supreme Court or if the justices will decide it based on previous filings. The case could also be sent to mediation.The attorney general's office had no comment on the case.

A man in prison for murder who wants to change his name has had his case accepted by the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

James Covington said he wants to change his name to Jamauri to reflect his Islamic faith.

In 2000, Covington pleaded guilty to killing his ex-girlfriend in 1999. In 2022, he filed a petition to change his name that was granted. That change was later reversed after the state objected.

Covington filed a motion for reconsideration, which also was rejected. The judge wrote at the time that his motion "fails to state points of fact or law that were overlooked or misapprehended by the court."

>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<

In accepting the case, the state Supreme Court order said that the case "appears to be eligible for mediation."

Covington said in a filing that he is willing to go to mediation and offered a compromise. He had previously requested to change his name to Jamauri Abdul Haleem, but in a filing dated Nov. 18, he said he's willing to accept Jamauri Covington.

"Jamauri pays homage to my Islamic faith, and the last name Covington will be kept paying homage to my deceased mother," he wrote in the filing.

In objecting to the name change, the state has said that it would pose an administrative burden. Covington is serving a sentence of 30 years to life in prison, and the state said he could get lost in the system if he changes his name.

The state said the name change could also cause confusion in the prison, giving the example of making it more difficult to know which inmates are safe to be around each other. But Covington argued that by denying the change, the state is violating his constitutional right to practice his religion.

It remains to be seen whether there will be any oral arguments made before the state Supreme Court or if the justices will decide it based on previous filings. The case could also be sent to mediation.

The attorney general's office had no comment on the case.