A date has been set for Susan Neill-Fraser's second appeal against her murder conviction.
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The Hobart Supreme Court on Friday heard Neill-Fraser's counsel had met with the prosecution's office and both had agreed to a timetable which would allow the appeal to begin before the Court of Criminal Appeal on May 25.
Neill-Fraser is serving 23-years' jail for the murder of her partner Bob Chappell who was last seen on the couple's yacht the Four Winds on Australia Day 2009.
She maintains her innocence and in March successfully gained leave to appeal her conviction a second time provided she can provide "fresh and compelling" evidence.
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Neill-Fraser's counsel Paul Galbally suggested the court spent 10 days hearing evidence on ground one of the appeal, that key witness Meaghan Vass had been on the Four Winds when Mr Chappell had been attacked, and make a ruling on that single ground.
"If required, the matter can proceed on the balance of the grounds," Mr Galbally said.
Mr Galbally said he would indicate to the prosecutor's office if the appellant was going to continue with ground three of the appeal, that the dingy seen near the Four Winds around the time Mr Chappell was attacked was not the Four Winds' tender, by March 16.
Director of Public Prosecutions Daryl Coates raised questions about evidence which applied to multiple grounds in the appeal notice.
"Some of the evidence induced in respect of ground one could be relevant to ground two," Mr Coates said.
Justice Helen Wood said the court would work through these matters and accepted the proposed timeline.
A further directions hearing may be held at the request of counsel.
Outside the court, supporters of Neill-Fraser said they were happy to finally have a date for the appeal.
Supporter Jennie Herrera said Neill-Fraser was positive about the appeal.
"I think she is really happy with her legal team and full of hope," Ms Herrera said.
"Once you've got a definite date you've got something to work toward."
Supporter Rosie Crumpton-Crook said she realised Friday, January 31, marked exactly four years since Neill-Fraser first submitted her application for the appeal.
"It seems pretty tragic to us that this is how long this has taken and there's still a few months until it starts," Ms Crumpton-Crook said.
"It's sad for Sue and her family this is taking so long. One can't really imagine the toll it takes on them."