The Court of Appeal has declined to hear a bail application by convicted murderer Teina Pora but has agreed to forward the case to the High Court so a hearing can take place there.
Teina Pora. Photo: TVNZ / One News
Pora was convicted twice for the murder and rape of Susan Burdett in 1992, but the Privy Council has granted him leave to appeal against his convictions.
Next week will be the 21st anniversary of Pora's arrest and imprisonment, but he says he did not commit those crimes.
He is seeking bail pending the Privy Council hearing in London, however on Thursday the Court of Appeal ruled it did not have the jurisdiction to hear his application.
Pora's lawyer Jonathan Krebs says seeking bail in the High Court would have been more time-consuming, but the fact the Court of Appeal has forwarded the case there should speed matters up considerably.
Mr Krebs says while Pora is due before the Parole Board soon, bail would be preferable because it would place fewer restrictions on his client than if he were paroled.
Court of Appeal president Justice O'Regan said the appeal papers would be forwarded to the Auckland High Court for its consideration.
The London court will consider two matters - the reliability of the confession Pora made and evidence involving serial offender Malcolm Rewa.
