I've been in law enforcement for 14+ years, now, and the first 7 of those were as an active Jehovah's Witness. I witnessed first hand elders dodging investigators of child abuse and subpoenas to testify in trial. It pissed me off then and was one of the many reasons I got out.
What one must comprehend is what an appeal really is. It is not a new trial. Here's the steps in the appeals process:
1) Which ever party lost the case (Plaintiff or Defendant) files the appeal with the next higher court, usually a court of appeals.
2) The party appealing files a "brief", which is a misnomer. A brief is basically, for lack of a better term, an essay outlining why the decision should be overturned.
3) An appeal must be based on the law and not the facts of the case. An appeal is an allegation against the judge of the court that heard the case. The allegation is that evidence from the losing party should have been admitted and was not or evidence that was admitted by the opposing party was admitted and should not have been.
4) The appeals court will review the brief and any statutory law or caselaw the party appealing refers to.
5) The appeals court will review the trial transcripts and the exhibits entered as evidence.
6) The appeals court will may a ruling based on 4 & 5 as well as additional caselaw that is relevant.