RHYS Jones’s murderer is considering whether to appeal against his minimum 22-year jail term, it emerged last night.

Sean Mercer, 18, was convicted last month of killing the 11-year-old boy in August 2007.

A unanimous jury found him guilty of firing three shots across the car park at the Fir Tree pub on Fir Tree Drive South, Croxteth Park, at rival gang members from Norris Green.

Rhys was caught in the cross fire as he walked home from football practice.

The 11-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court saw Mercer sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum of 22 years.

Judge Mr Justice Irwin condemned the teenager and his fellow Croxteth Crew gang members, branding them “cowards” after they tried to cover the crime up.

Mercer, of Good Shepherd Close, Croxteth, only has a few days left to officially lodge any appeal against the conviction or sentence.

Last night his legal team said their client was still weighing up his options.

James Benson, of James Benson Solicitors, has represented Mercer from the day he was arrested, three days after he murdered Rhys.

Mr Benson said: “It’s not yet been decided though it is very much an option.

“There is a timescale for deciding, which is 28 days after conviction but I can’t say what the timescale is for a decision being made.”

Mercer has never shown any remorse for killing Rhys.

During his trial, he sat with his six co-defendants laughing and talking. He also choose to stay silent during the trial, opting not to give evidence.