Murderer Stuart Campbell's attempts to clear his name have moved a step closer at the Court of Appeal.
Barristers working for the builder from Meadow Road, in Grays, will try and prove his conviction was unsafe.
Campbell was jailed for life in December 2002 for kidnapping and killing his niece, 15-year-old schoolgirl Danielle Jones.
He has never admitted his guilt and her body has never been recovered.
Campbell, 45, won the right to fight his conviction in April. It was agreed at yesterday's hearing that a appeal would take place in November or December.
Michael Borrelli QC, working for Campbell, said that there was "the appearance of bias" because a juror's wife cut the hair of a senior Essex Police officer and his wife.
An officer who investigated Danielle's disappearance also lived in the juror's street.
Mr Borrelli asked for a senior officer, unconnected with Essex Police, to ascertain how much they knew of the case.
Published Friday July 16, 2004
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