DEFENCE lawyers for Molly Martens and her father Thomas have begun an appeal to have their convictions for killing Irishman Jason Corbett overturned.
The pair were found guilty in August 2017 of second-degree murder and sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison and a maximum of 25 years.
Their lawyers are hoping to have their convictions quashed and new trials ordered, reports Independent.ie.
They have challenged the fairness of the trial and some of the prosecution’s key forensic evidence.
Their arguments are being opposed by Special Deputy Attorney General Jonathan Babb and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Mike Dodd.
Limerick native Mr Corbett, 39, died at his North Carolina home on August 2, 2015 after being struck on the head at least 10 times with a baseball bat and a landscaping stone.
Ms Martens, 34, and retired FBI agent Mr Martens, 68, had denied the charges against them, citing self-defence.
However a jury unanimously convicted them of second-degree murder.
It could take weeks or months for the three-judge panel to deliver their verdict.
