By 3 News online staff
The man found guilty of murdering his two-year-old stepson has had his appeal against his conviction dismissed.
Joel Loffley, 29, was sentenced in February to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 19 years.
Baby Joseph Lawrence, known as JJ, was killed in a violent attack in November 2011, which left his liver and pancreas split in half.
During Loffley's trial last year, the prosecution said JJ's injuries were so bad it was like he had been hit with a hammer.
Prosecutor Phil Hamlin said a "jealous" Loffley killed the toddler because he wanted him out of the picture, after his partner Josephine Lawrence told him she was pregnant with his child.
Loffley was found guilty on the anniversary of JJ's death, on November 14 last year. It took the jury seven-and-a-half hours to convict him.
3 News
source: newshub archive
