CALHOUN COUNTY, Mich. — After more than 30 years, a mother says her fight for justice for her daughter is far from over.

In November, Jason Symonds will appeal his conviction for the rape and murder of Nicole VanNoty.

Symonds killed VanNoty in 1994, when he was 16 years old and she was just 5 years old.

VanNoty’s mother, Robin Buonodono, says she has thought about her daughter since she died.

“Nicole is constantly on my heart. Nicole is constantly in my brain,” said Buonodono.

She described her as a tomboy who could easily make friends.

“She was my only daughter, my last child. Everyone. Loved Nicole,” said Buonodono.

Symonds was convicted and sentenced to life without parole, and was later sentenced again to life without parole, after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that automati

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