By Katie MulvaneyPROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Convicted murderer Craig Price's effort to win release from prison will proceed in federal court. CRAIG PRICE U.S. District Court Judge William Smith Wednesday ordered the state to respond to Price's latest appeal. Price in January asked the court in a hand-written petition to dismiss the sentence he is serving, arguing the 25 years imposed against him for criminal contempt was excessive and violated his constitutional rights.