A convicted murderer and arsonist has become the first person in the country to have his appeal reheard because of a Privy Council decision relating to legal aid cases.
The Court of Appeal yesterday began rehearing Aerengaro Timoti's appeal.
Timoti was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1999 after setting fire to his mother's house in Mt Roskill, killing one of the occupants, Tereoro Ruarau.
Timoti was refused legal aid to have a lawyer represent him at his earlier appeal and his case was dismissed.
But he was granted a rehearing after the Privy Council ruled last year that he and 11 other convicted criminals did not get a proper appeal.
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