NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) -- Michael Legrand, a death row inmate in Louisiana who was born in the United States and adopted by a Frenchman, has succeeded in having his French nationality recognized, a diplomat here said Thursday.

"As the decision in France has been made to recognize the adoption of Michael Legrand by his father, Paul Legrand, the consulate is providing Michael Legrand, in coordination with his lawyer, consular protection," said Eric Bayer, vice-consul of the French Consulate in New Orleans.

Bayer said consular involvement could include ensuring that the trial is conducted according to due process rules and providing visits to the accused in prison by a consular officer.

Michael Legrand, 30, was sentenced to death in 2001 for the murder of Rafael Santos in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, but his appeal is still before the state courts.

Legrand, a Louisiana native, was adopted at age 13 by French national Paul Legrand.

The elder Legrand, now dead, rescued his son from a state institution after the boy had been abused and molested by his stepfather and abandoned by his mother.

Ben Cohen, a member of Legrand's defense team, said the French Consulate notified him of the decision on Wednesday just before attorneys were to present Legrand's appeal to the Louisiana State Supreme Court.

In their appeal, Legrand's attorneys claim the original trial was flawed by prosecutorial error and possible misconduct.

"We welcome whatever support the French government and people may offer in the fight to preserve the fairness of the proceedings and to save Michael's life," Cohen said. "We're referring questions concerning the involvement of the French government to the consulate."

If Legrand's appeal should fail in state courts and a date of execution is set, his attorneys may ask the French government to bring his case to the International Court of Justice, which has in the past sought unsuccessfully to stay the executions of foreign nationals in the United States.