A convicted murderer has appeared in court in Christchurch shackled and surrounded by four corrections officers to appeal his sentence and conviction for murder.

Two witnesses have been called in Nikki Roper’s appeal, who’s serving a life sentence in prison with a non parole period of 14-years, for strangling his ex-partner Alexsis Tovizi in 2010.

Roper is representing himself, and alleges his trial lawyer Simon Shamy misrepresented him on the murder charge, saying Shamy should have called other witnesses to challenge the crown’s picture of his relationship with the 21-year-old.

"It was stated that it was a relationship of jealousy, manipulation, abuse."

"If mister Shamy had of called other witnesses, perhaps this view would have been changed."

Roper says his lawyer should have also called more witnesses to discuss whether the young mother died from an alcoholic brain seizure.

The Court of Appeal also heard that the idea he breached a protection order the young mother had against him was incorrect.

"It was up to the victim to impose that if she changes her mind," Roper said.

"If she said go, I have to go. That's when I'm in breach. However I never was."

The jury asked a question regarding the protection order while deliberating, which Roper says proves they were influenced by it.

The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision.