High court refuses to block BP plea deal

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Supreme Court Wednesday refused to intervene in an effort to delay final approval of a plea deal with oil company BP PLC, stemming from a massive refinery explosion in Texas three years ago that killed 15 people.

Victims of the disaster sought to postpone an agreement in which the energy giant subsidiary would pay a $50 million government fine, thereby settling federal criminal complaints over the company's actions that may have contributed to the blast.

The justices offered no explanation in deciding not to get involved at this stage, meaning a federal judge in Houston will be free to decide whether to approve the plea deal.

–From CNN Supreme Court Producer Bill Mears