Convicted murderer wants DNA test

Jules Mikus was found guilty of the 1987 murder of six-year-old Teresa Cormack in 2002. File photo / NZ Herald

Jules Mikus - the man convicted of the 1987 murder and rape of Napier schoolgirl Teresa Cormack - wants a new DNA test to prove his innocence.

Mikus, who is serving a sentence of preventive detention after he was convicted in 2002, has applied for an extension of time for further samples to be taken and asked for a defence lawyer, at the Court of Appeal in Wellington this morning, the Dominion Post reports.

Appellants have 28 days following their sentencing to appeal their conviction, however Mikus filed his appeal in 2008.

The request was opposed by Crown prosecutor Lisa Preston, saying Mikus has a "fundamental misapprehension" of the results.

Mikus, who represented himself in court via video link, a fresh DNA test done in prison was different to the 1987 and 2002 tests used as evidence in trial, and disputed the hairs found on Teresa were his.

- Herald Online