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Archived Press Releases 2003 August 7th

Clobbering Machine strikes Judges

(7th August 2003)

The Appeal Court Clobbering Machine that cut three years off the sentences of two of New Zealand's most despicable killers has successfully ensured that any other Judges in future will not give sentences the community demands, says the Sensible Sentencing Trust National Spokesperson.

Mr McVicar said that Justices Potter and Goddard were listening to their communities and showed extraordinary courage when they gave two of the longest sentences in this Country's history. The Appeal Court decision has clobbered them for that bravery and ensured Judges will not show such individual courage again.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust believes the Appeal Court decision to reduce the sentence of two of New Zealand's most despicable killers was always going to happen.

When Justices Potter and Goddard originally sentenced Howse and Bell to 28 and 33 years respectively, we stated that it was only a matter of time until the full heat and wrath of the Appeal Court clobbering machine was turned on them. That prediction is sadly coming true.

Mr McVicar said the Appeal Court decision to reduce the sentences strikes at the very heart of democracy and makes a mockery of the new sentencing laws. The original sentences were given by Judges who heard weeks of evidence and reached their decision after very careful deliberation on the evidence and the legislation.

For three Appeal Court Judges who were not privy to all the Court evidence to then reduce the sentence is pathetic and confirms our view that New Zealand still has a bulk discount Jusice system. Multiple killings or bulk offending will ensure a "bulk discount".

The Minister of Justice can say what he wants but the facts are now patently obvious, the Sentencing Act 2002 is a dismal failure, and the confusion it has created now runs right through to the Court of Appeal.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust will continue to hammer our message "Life Must Mean Life" for the likes of Bell and Howse.

Regards,

Garth McVicar
National Spokesperson,
Sensible Sentencing Trust.