Prisoner continues legal fight

File Photo / NZ Herald

A man jailed for the rape and murder of an Auckland woman more than two decades ago has taken the first step to reopening the case.

Teina Pora's lawyer has applied for a Royal Prerogative of Mercy for the case of the murder and rape of Susan Burdett.

Ms Burdett was found dead in her Papatoetoe home after being beaten to death with a bat she kept under her bed.

In 1994, Teina Pora was convicted of her rape.

He was re-trialled after DNA from serial rapist Malcolm Rewa was linked to the scene.

The re-trial found Mr Pora guilty of the murder and rape of the Papatoetoe woman in 2000.

Mr Pora, now 36, is imprisoned in the Paremoremo prison in Auckland.

Crown Prosecutor Jonathan Krebs said he was confident Mr Pora's innocence could be proven.

"We have real concerns about the voracity of the confession Teina has maintained. It's a false confession. And there is a new body of science in which the phenomena of false confessions is explored and explained," he told Radio New Zealand today (Friday).

He said the evidence linked to Mr Pora was "false and thin and weak" and couldn't be relied upon.

Mr Krebs applied for the Royal Prerogative of Mercy through the Governor General. The matter has been referred to the justice minister, who will offer advice on whether the case should be reopened.

- APNZ