Tori Stafford’s murderer to appeal his conviction

Michael Rafferty, the man sentenced to life for the rape, abduction and murder of of 8-year-old Tori Stafford, is appealing his conviction, the Toronto Star reports.

Rafferty is appealing on grounds the judge failed to properly instruct the jury and says the jury failed to “apprehend the evidentiary requirement to convict for first-degree murder.”

The appeal was received by the Court of Appeal for Ontario on July 26,

Although Rafferty missed the 30-day deadline to appeal his conviction, he was granted an extension due to an inability to contact legal counsel, due to restricted access to a telephone.
If he returns to court, Rafferty has requested that he once more face trial by jury. It is not clear whether Rafferty is being represented by a lawyer.