A teenager convicted of killing a Moray pensioner took his battle to clear his name to court yesterday.
Reece Munro and his stepfather Garry launched a “brutal and unprovoked” assault on James Robson at his home in Buckie in July 2012.
Their victim was 66 when he was attacked – but was 67 by the time he died in hospital almost a year later.
Both men were originally convicted of attempted murder, but fresh proceedings were later raised and the older man was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.
His step-son was found guilty of culpable homicide, and locked up for four years – the same term as he was given after the initial trial.
But the 19-year-old is now asking appeal judges to quash his conviction, and took his case to the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh yesterday.
However, the prosecution’s advocate depute Richard Goddard told a judge the Crown was still considering whether to oppose the teenager’s bid and asked for a continuation of the case.
Mr Goddard told judge Lord Matthews: “There is a real issue as to whether the Crown ought to oppose the appeal or not.”
The case was continued until next month for a further procedural hearing.
Mr Robson was assaulted by the two men at his home in Blantyre Terrace, Buckie on July 10, 2012.
Munro senior was found guilty of murdering him by repeatedly kicking and stamping on his head and body, and repeatedly punching him. He was jailed for life, and warned not to expect being released after the minimum 16 years had been served.
Munro junior was convicted of killing Mr Robson by kicking and punching him on the body.
The victim suffered “catastrophic” injuries that left him bedridden and unable to speak or communicate. He died nearly a year later in the town’s Seafield Hospital, after contracting pneumonia.