Woman, 65, who was jailed for the killing of her wealthy partner wins right to an appeal after key witness gives 'fresh and compelling evidence' in bombshell television interview
- Woman found guilty of murdering her partner in 2010 is granted right to appeal
- Susan Neill-Fraser was accused of killing Bob Chappell on board a yacht in 2009
- Hobart Supreme Court granted appeal based on 'compelling, fresh' evidence
- Neill-Fraser is alleged to of thrown Mr Chappell body in the sea after killing him
- She has always maintained her innocence and has already served nine years
Hobart woman Susan Neill-Fraser has been granted the right to launch a fresh appeal against her murder conviction.
Neill-Fraser, 65, is serving 23 years' jail after being convicted in 2010 of killing partner Bob Chappell on the couple's Four Winds yacht moored at Sandy Bay on Australia Day 2009.
In Hobart Supreme Court on Thursday afternoon, Justice Michael Brett deemed Neill-Fraser had provided evidence that met the criteria of 'fresh and compelling', enough for him to grant leave for an appeal.
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Sue Neill-Fraser (pictured) has spent nine years behind bars for the murder of her partner on their yacht in Tasmania on Australia Day in 2009
That evidence concerned the whereabouts and DNA of then-homeless teenager Meaghan Vass.
Ms Vass's DNA was found aboard the yacht, but she told the original trial she was not on the boat.
Ms Vass signed a document in April last year saying she was on the boat the night of the murder, but backflipped when giving evidence at the appeal bid, telling the court it was not true and she put her name to it under threats.
Neill-Fraser is accused of murdering her medical professional partner Bob Chappell (pictured) while the pair had been on board a yacht
Ms Vass's DNA was found aboard the yacht (pictured) but she told the original trial she was not on the boat
The case was re-opened last week so a new affidavit from Ms Vass about her whereabouts on the night of the murder - revealed on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes program - could be included.
'The fresh and compelling evidence to which this decision refers is the evidence of the out of court representations of Ms Vass,' Justice Brett said.
'The principal piece of evidence providing such context, of course, is the location of Ms Vass's DNA on the yacht, and what (forensic scientist) Mr Maxwell Jones has now had to say about that DNA.'
Mr Jones had told court the DNA was a 'good or strong' source.
Neill-Fraser maintains her innocence as she serves a 23-year jail sentence in Tasmania. Right to left: Bob Chappell, Susan Neill-Fraser, Neill-Fraser's daughter Sarah Bowles (nee Fraser-Meeker) and son-in-law Mark Bowles
Neill-Fraser was in 2010 found guilty of bludgeoning Mr Chappell and dumping him in the River Derwent.
His body has never been found.
Neill-Fraser has maintained her innocence but several previous appeals against her conviction have failed.
Outside court, Neill-Fraser's daughter Sarah Bowles said she was extremely grateful for the decision.
'Mum is an innocent woman. It's time she came home for cuddles with her grandchildren,' she said, standing in front of several supporters.
Although his body was never found, Ms Neill-Fraser (pictured) was found guilty of attacking Mr Chappell and dumping his body in the River Derwent
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