North Carolina Court of Appeals

Yeah.

So Michael's first appeal came before the North Carolina Court of Appeals in April 2006.

Among other things, his attorney argued that he'd been denied a fair trial, due in large part to the extensive and sensational coverage in the press, and the introduction of what he called irrelevant evidence, like Elizabeth Ratliff's death.

Um, [laughs]

The family's lawsuit initially running into a series of legal setbacks, a trial court dismissing eight of the Turpins' nine claims, prompting the family to voluntarily drop the remaining claim without prejudice and pursue an appeal.

The North Carolina Court of Appeals later upholding those dismissals.

The North Carolina Supreme Court last month reviving parts of the couple's lawsuit, finding they adequately pleaded several claims previously dismissed by lower courts.

The five to two ruling not deciding whether the Turpins' allegations are true, but allowing their legal fight to go forward.