Falconio appeal hearing adjourned

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The family of British backpacker Peter Falconio must wait several months to learn the outcome of an appeal by the man serving a life term for his murder.

Bradley Murdoch, 48, is appealing in Australia against his conviction for shooting Mr Falconio, 28, of Hepworth, near Huddersfield, West Yorks, in 2001.

Lawyers for Murdoch claimed he suffered a "substantial miscarriage of justice". The Crown insist he had a fair trial.

Judges in Darwin adjourned the case for a decision at a later date.

At his trial last year, Murdoch was told he must serve at least 28 years for the murder of Mr Falconio on a stretch of highway near Barrow Creek, about 200 miles north of Alice Springs, in 2001.

The body of Mr Falconio has never been found.

Internet pictures

Murdoch, a mechanic, was also found guilty of abducting and assaulting Joanne Lees, a 33-year-old support worker from Brighton, who was Mr Falconio's girlfriend.

Judges hearing the appeal in the Northern Territory Court of Criminal Appeal in Darwin adjourned the case after three days of legal submission.

A decision is not expected for several months.

Ian Barker QC, counsel for Murdoch, asked judges to call for a retrial if they upheld any one of the grounds of appeal.

He said that the trial judge should have excluded Miss Lees' identification of Murdoch in a photograph line-up because she had already seen his picture on the internet.

The Crown has argued that the evidence was not vital in the light of the "very damning" DNA evidence against him.

'Pseudo-science'

The court heard how Murdoch's DNA was found in a blood stain on Miss Lees' T-shirt, on the home-made handcuffs he used to tie her up, and on the gear stick of the couple's camper van.

Murdoch's lawyers disputed the testimony given by an expert in "face and body mapping", saying it was an untested "pseudo-science".

They also claimed a minimum non-parole period of 28 years was "manifestly excessive" as it would mean Murdoch is likely to die in prison.

Even if the appeal judges do not order a retrial, they can cut his sentence.

And if the bid to overturn his conviction fails, Murdoch can apply for special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia.

He has always denied he was the killer and no motive for the attack has ever been established.