""the trial was a joke""

I suspect in USA justice, that would widely open the door to the appeal process.

If so, why did appeals not confirm/pick up on these flaws, if they were legally compelling?

You have to excuse my lack of knowledge on the details. But, many here have seemed to have read up alot on the topic. I have noticed through a GOOGLE seatrch that many internet sources of information would hardly be considered unbiased.