ROCKLAND — Justice Margaret V. Kravchuk Has denied an appeal from John J. Joubert to stop his extradition to Nebraska, where he is sentenced to be executed for two murders.

But the Superior Court justice said a temporary restraining order to halt the transfer of the inmate will remain in force during an appeal period.

Joubert was convicted in Lincoln County Superior Court on Oct. 15 in the stabbing and stangulation death of Richard Stetson, 11, of Portland. Joubert has not been sentenced for the Maine crime.

Joubert was convicted of two charges of murder in Nebraska in October 1984. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied in 1987.

In September of 1989, Joubert asked to be returned to Maine. Maine and Nebraska governors agreed to return Joubert to Maine to stand trial in the Stetson slaying. Now Joubert is trying to fight his extradition from Maine, which does not have a death penalty.

An appeal to the Maine Supreme Court is expected.