SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Emrah Bulatci is appealing his first degree murder conviction and sentence.

Papers were filed on his behalf at the Yellowknife courthouse on Dec. 18 by lawyer Dan Rideout, who represented Bulatci during his four-week murder trial.

The 25-year-old was sentenced to life in prison on Nov. 19 - specifically 25 years without the possibility of parole.

The appeal documents state the trial judge made at least 13 different errors during the course of the trial, including allowing taped recordings between Bulatci and his girlfriend and family to be submitted as evidence.

The file asserts Bulatci's charter right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure was violated when his conversations were taped without his knowledge.

The court heard excerpts from taped conversations from the North Slave Correctional Centre in which Bulatci, who grew up in Alberta, made reference to sending people after witnesses. Initially he was charged with obstruction of justice, but the Crown stayed the charges when the jury found him guilty of murder.

Crown prosecutor John McFarlane said the next step will be for Bulatci to confirm legal counsel, who will likely have to review the testimony and file a second notice. The Crown will then have 30 days to respond. The appeal will be spoken to on March 20 in the Court of Appeal.

A Supreme Court jury found Bulatci guilty in the shooting death of Const. Christopher Worden. The Mountie was slain in Hay River on Oct. 6, 2007.