Imprisoned killer Steven Neville's appeal to have his second-degree murder conviction overturned has been dismissed by the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal.

Neville's lawyer argued that Justice Carl Thompson erred in instructing the jury, which in 2013 found Neville guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Doug Flynn and the attempted murder of Ryan Dwyer.

Neville, who was sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 12 years, contended that Thompson's instructions to the jury to consider evidence related to the intent necessary for a murder conviction in comparison to manslaughter was insufficient.

Secondly, Neville said that Thompson didn't properly answer one of three questions the jury asked while deliberating.

Two of three justices dismissed the appeal on April 10.

Neville did not enter an appeal of his sentence.