Judy Moran requests appeal for 26-year murder conviction

Melbourne underworld figure Judy Moran has argued she should allowed to appeal her 2011 murder conviction, after claims prosecutors withheld crucial information that may have suggested she was innocent.

Moran appeared via video link in the Victorian Court of Appeal earlier today with her barrister, Robert Richter QC.

The 72-year-old argued she should be allowed to appeal her conviction for arranging the murder of her brother-in-law Des ‘Tuppence’ Moran.

Des Moran was shot by hitman Geoffrey Armour in 2009 as he paid for his lunch at an Ascot Vale deli.

Moran was convicted of her brother-in-law’s murder in 2011, and sentenced to 26 years jail.  

Her lawyers recently discovered a key witness in the trial was facing serious drug charges at the time of the hearing.  

The witness’ charges were linked to a major drug ring whose key players often met at the deli where Mr Moran was shot, Mr Richter said.

There were suspicions Mr Moran had stolen drugs from the crime ring, the court heard.

Mr Richter added Armour and his then-girlfriend had motive to kill Mr Moran, because he'd told people they were responsible for stealing the drugs.

"That's what was being passed about," Mr Richter said.

He argued the jury in Moran's trial should have been told about the witness’ links to the syndicate and the defence should have had an opportunity to cross-examine him on that connection.

Prosecutor Chris Boyce SC refuted the claims and said the Crown wasn't aware the witness was facing charges at the time of the 2011 trial.

With AAP.