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Life should Mean Life

This was first published in the Sunday Star Times on 27th July 2003

Over the last 30 years New Zealand has progressively become one of the most violent nations in the western world, the politically correct social experiment of no accountability, and no responsibility, has been a disaster for this country. The level of crime in any society is the first indicator of social polices gone wrong, the real victims of this crime epidemic are you and I, as society declines, you and I pay.

In recent days we have seen some of our most violent killers being granted leave to appeal either their conviction, their sentence, or both.

Jenni Hargreaves, a lovely 17-year-old girl was brutally murdered and left in a ditch, Shane Hoko, her killer, was on parole for previous offences, his sentence of 17 years was reduced to 15 on appeal.

William Bell the RSA triple killer had his appeal heard in Wellington last Thursday. The decision was reserved but like Hokos, will probably be reduced.

Nika Abraham, the Vermin who murdered Kate Alkema, the teenage killers of New Plymouth truck driver Kenny Piggot and the group of louts that killed Pizza Hutt worker Michael Choy are all appealing !! The list goes on.

With approximately 450 hearings before the Court of Appeal at present; it is not rocket science to work out that New Zealand's justice system is failing, and badly in need of a major overhaul.

The Appeal Court recently admitted that they are confused by Government legislation stating that 17 years is the starting point for " top of the range murders".

What is " top of the range"?

On the 22nd July the Sensible Sentencing Trust and Families representing some of New Zealand's Murder victims presented a submission to parliament. While our principle focus was on "Life Must Mean Life" for anybody who commits pre-meditated or aggravated murder, our complete submission offered solutions to many of the problems facing our Justice system today.

Sensible Sentencing Trust believes that, "Society has a right to expect a certain standard of behaviour from all of its members all of the time".

Past and present Governments haven't listened to the people, and now even the Courts are confused, but the majority of New Zealanders know exactly what is required: the starting point for premeditated or aggravated murder must be, "Life Means Life".