Work and Income double-killer Russell John Tully is appealing his conviction and sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 27 years.
Work and Income double-killer Russell John Tully is appealing his conviction and sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 27 years.
The killer jailed for the Ashburton Work and Income double-slaying will argue against his conviction and sentence in March.
The Herald can reveal that Russell John Tully's appeal will be heard at the Court of Appeal in Wellington on March 12.
Tully was found guilty in 2016 ofbeing the masked gunman who stormed the Ashburton Winz centre on September 1, 2014 and shot dead receptionist Peggy Noble, 67, from point-blank range and shot case manager Susan Leigh Cleveland, 55, three times as she pleaded for her life.
The 52-year-old was also found guilty of attempting to murder case manager Kim Adams. He was found not guilty of attempting to murder case manager Lindy Curtis who was shot in the leg and badly injured while hiding under a desk.
At his sentencing, Tully alleged a "major cover-up by the Crown" regarding disclosure and evidence, and further claimed he didn't have access to a lawyer.
"If I was guilty and went out and killed two people, I'd take it, and say, 'That was me'. But obviously that was not the case and I refute the accusation," Tully said.
