BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB LEADER LOSES BID; HUNT WON'T GET NEW TRIAL IN '84 SLAYING IN BEVERLY HILLS.

Byline: Peter Hartlaub Daily News Staff Writer

A state appellate court has denied Billionaire Boys Club leader Joe Hunt's bid for a new trial in the murder of Ron Levin, prosecutors said Wednesday.

In the 14-page ruling, the 2nd District Court of Appeal declined to overturn Superior Court Judge Stephen Czuleger's conclusion that the former Van Nuys resident's trial was fair. The Los Angeles judge also ruled that witnesses who claimed they saw Levin alive were either mistaken or not credible.

Hunt was the charismatic leader of a social and business club made up of his wealthy Beverly Hills friends. Key prosecution witness Dean Karny testified in the 1987 trial that Hunt confessed he and a bodyguard went to Levin's Beverly Hills apartment in June 1984, coerced him into signing a $1.5 million check, shot him and disposed of the body.

Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Imogene Katayama was pleased by the decision but called it ``one step in a long process.''

Katayama said Hunt, who has been representing himself, already has presented a notice of appeal to the state Supreme Court.

``He's really persistent,'' she said.

Hunt had appealed Czuleger's July 12, 1996, decision, claiming his constitutional right to represent himself was denied. He also asked the appellate court justices to revisit what he claims is evidence that Levin is still alive and that Karny lied during trial.

Levin disappeared in June 1984, and his body was never found.

``After an extensive review of the trial and . . . hearing records, we deny the petition,'' the ruling states.

Prosecutors said the District Attorney's Office received the ruling late Tuesday, although the decision was signed by two appellate justices Jan. 15.