GUILTY Australia - Daniel Morcombe, 13, Woombye, QLD, 7 Dec 2003 - #2

[catswhiskers]

Firstly, how fabulous is Louis Theroux??!!!:rockon: I saw that doco - it's truly fascinating.

Secondly, I'm not surprised it's hard to fill the psychiatric positions. And I suspect it's not just because of people's natural aversion to paedophiles. As a therapist, it would be deeply unsatisfying working with this client base because of their resistance and denial. There's just nowhere to really go with them and over time, if you're not seeing your clients benefit from treatment, you can become very disillusioned and dissatisfied as a practitioner. It's such an emotionally gruelling job, you want to be seeing positive outcomes. JMO.:seeya:

Louis Theroux is amazing - I think I have watched every doco he has made so far, and he is utterly cool, kind and respectful even in the face of interviewing some truly revolting characters. At the same time he doesn't butter them up or anything - he does manage to ask challenging questions, but somehow in a way that isn't threatening or too accusatory. Despite having a pretty cushy life in that particular institution, it was very telling that the really hard core offenders were so angry about still being incarcerated. Violent and full of themselves!


“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.”
Stephen Hawking

 

[ozazure]

I was discussing this with my Dad and we were both expressing our surprise that there isn't vigilantism, at least from the parents of such victims.I can't recall any cases. I wonder what it is that stops it from happening.

The issue with the registry, when unrelated people to the victim target an offender, I am not really that worried about that either to be honest, unless their information is incorrect.

One thing I would like to see changed ... if you are convicted of a similar crime to one you are now on trial for, the jury gets to know. If you can use the criminal history of someone else to defend yourself you should have to admit to your own. When we have the statistical knowledge that violent pedophiles and other violent sexual offenders cannot be satisfactorily treated, and reoffend so readily, this needs to be built into the system. When you are convicted of one of these abhorrent crimes, you also lose your future "clean slate" in the court room. It should be part of your punishment. If you get done on lesser evidence the next time around, well you shouldn't have done it the first time.

I am still reeling over the 4 years for what he did to that other little boy. For someone with such a useless no hoper life, anticipating 4 years for another go probably isn't much of a deterrent.

 

[they'll get you]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-19/brough-says-cowan-should-never-be-released/5330990

Daniel Morcombe's killer should never be released: Sunshine Coast MP Mal Brough
By Bruce Atkinson

Sunshine Coast MP Mal Brough, speaking in Parliament this morning, said Cowan would not have been able to kill Daniel if he had not been released from jail on previous child molestation charges..."The first thing I would say, Mr Deputy Speaker, is when you hurt a child in this way you forfeit your right to be free for the rest of your life."...

lease:lease:

:applause::applause:
:applause::applause:

 

[MsAnais]

I was discussing this with my Dad and we were both expressing our surprise that there isn't vigilantism, at least from the parents of such victims.I can't recall any cases. I wonder what it is that stops it from happening.

The issue with the registry, when unrelated people to the victim target an offender, I am not really that worried about that either to be honest, unless their information is incorrect.

One thing I would like to see changed ... if you are convicted of a similar crime to one you are now on trial for, the jury gets to know. If you can use the criminal history of someone else to defend yourself you should have to admit to your own. When we have the statistical knowledge that violent pedophiles and other violent sexual offenders cannot be satisfactorily treated, and reoffend so readily, this needs to be built into the system. When you are convicted of one of these abhorrent crimes, you also lose your future "clean slate" in the court room. It should be part of your punishment. If you get done on lesser evidence the next time around, well you shouldn't have done it the first time.

I am still reeling over the 4 years for what he did to that other little boy. For someone with such a useless no hoper life, anticipating 4 years for another go probably isn't much of a deterrent.

Completely agree with you, ozazure!!!:seeya:

 

[marlywings]

I was discussing this with my Dad and we were both expressing our surprise that there isn't vigilantism, at least from the parents of such victims.I can't recall any cases. I wonder what it is that stops it from happening.

The issue with the registry, when unrelated people to the victim target an offender, I am not really that worried about that either to be honest, unless their information is incorrect.

One thing I would like to see changed ... if you are convicted of a similar crime to one you are now on trial for, the jury gets to know. If you can use the criminal history of someone else to defend yourself you should have to admit to your own. When we have the statistical knowledge that violent pedophiles and other violent sexual offenders cannot be satisfactorily treated, and reoffend so readily, this needs to be built into the system. When you are convicted of one of these abhorrent crimes, you also lose your future "clean slate" in the court room. It should be part of your punishment. If you get done on lesser evidence the next time around, well you shouldn't have done it the first time.

I am still reeling over the 4 years for what he did to that other little boy. For someone with such a useless no hoper life, anticipating 4 years for another go probably isn't much of a deterrent.

There was a case in Aus in which public pressure & media attention forced one repeat offender to continually move location. I don't think too many would forget the notorious Dennis Ferguson.

Dennis Ferguson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Absolutely agree re using their prior offences when they're going through court. They should also have their name & photo published for all to see as soon as they're arrested instead of hiding them away until end of trial.

 

[they'll get you]

:blushing:

There was a case in Aus in which public pressure & media attention forced one repeat offender to continually move location. I don't think too many would forget the notorious Dennis Ferguson.

Dennis Ferguson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Absolutely agree re using their prior offences when they're going through court. They should also have their name & photo published for all to see as soon as they're arrested instead of hiding them away until end of trial.

Marley unfortunately their names can't be published to protect the child's identity. Double edged sword. They are protected because of their victim.

 

[marlywings]

Not in all cases TGY. If they're related to the victim it would be automatically suppressed

I'm meaning the likes of Cowan & even Jackway...they should have had their photos plastered far & wide.

 

[janeom74]

Last week I actually spoke to someone who knew Brett Cowan and his family. She said she thought he was a down to earth guy, a typical "Aussie bloke" who was a bit of "lariken at times", in her exact words. Well that was how he seemed to her. She couldn't believe what she found out this past month and it's weighed her down emotionally learning about his past. She said his family are the most lovely people, and she was having trouble coming to terms with his actions... up until mid last year she didn't even know Brett was a suspect. She said it made her sick, but she also felt an incredible grief for his parents because they were always very kind to her. Just shocking, isn't it?

 

[they'll get you]

Nobody really knows how they would act in a certain situation.

It took this horrific situation to see a very special family rise to great heights over and above the average Joe. The Morcombes are special people and it's sad it happened to them and that extra twist of the knife knowing Daniel left a twin.
Why? Maybe because they are the special ones who had to show us how to be benevolent in our time of need. How many awful murders have there been and many wallow in their own self pity and don't think beyond themselves, recover and then carry on their lives in private.
Stop and think if any one of us could actually rise beyond 'ourselves' whilst looking for our baby boy. Oh the twists and turns! Then realising he wasn't hurt or lost close by but stolen by someone and then learning truths no parent should ever discover.
To immediately want to protect other children whilst still searching for Daniel brings me to my insignificant knees.
No, honestly, I don't think I could look beyond my own grief but then I don't know how I'd react in a certain situation.
It's beyond my imagination!
In some sad way, it had to be the Morcombes because they were the special ones.

Making sense? Maybe not but it's from my thoughts that can't imagine such pain & such graciousness in the same sentence.

 

[Fuskier]

Hi gregjrichards, here is confirmation of the Defense plan to appeal the sentence:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-...-pushing-for-tougher-sentence-for-cow/5323068

"...Lawyers for Cowan say they will file a Notice of Appeal against his conviction within 28 days"...

Given today is 12 days post conviction, Defense appeal should be lodged by 12th April 2014.

 

[Fuskier]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-...-pushing-for-tougher-sentence-for-cow/5323068

Queensland Government minister Scott Emerson said a review of Cowan's sentence by the DPP is appropriate.
"I do note that in other parts of Australia, similar crimes do carry much heavier penalties," he said... "I think it's quite appropriate for the Attorney-General to consider reviewing the sentence"...

 

[Fuskier]

Progress update: DPP Appeal

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...rod-bleijie/story-fnihsrf2-1226864700776?from

Brett Peter Cowan’s Sentence is ‘Manifestly *Inadequate’, says Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie
KATE KYRIACOU THE COURIER-MAIL MARCH 26, 2014 12:00AM

THE Attorney-General has lodged paperwork with the Court of Appeal protesting the “manifestly inadequate” sentence given to Daniel *Morcombe’s killer...

 

[they'll get you]

Denise Morcombe: Our marriage almost fell apart
Speaking exclusively in April issue of The Australian Women's Weekly, Denise tells of how she begged Bruce for a divorce, but, thankfully, he refused to grant her one.

Denise also speaks of the nightmares she has endured almost nightly in the decade since Daniel went missing.

She says she was somewhat naively hoping they would stop once Cowan was convicted, but they haven't yet.
http://www.aww.com.au/news-features...nise-morcombe-our-marriage-almost-fell-apart/

 

[Fuskier]

Snap TGY.

http://www.news.com.au/national/que...h-for-son-daniel/story-fnii5v6w-1226866281769

Denise and Bruce Morcombe tell Australian Women’s Weekly they were close to divorce during the 10-year search for son Daniel
2 HOURS AGO MARCH 27, 2014 11:40AM

IN one of their darkest moments, Denise Morcombe broke down and asked her husband Bruce for a divorce… the evening before Father’s Day.
But typical of his trademark steely grit and determination, Bruce refused to give up on their marriage. “I knew it wasn’t her talking,” he said in an interview with The Australian Woman’s Weekly...

They have survived unthinkable horror, such as would separate many couples/families, but they remained together, supported each other and evolved forward, despite their tremendous loss, into contributing positively and significantly to the education and safety of children everywhere.

I'm not sure that I would have survived such a deeply traumatic, devastating experience as losing your child, a part of yourself without explanation for 10 years only to find that your beloved child had been abducted, raped and murdered at the hands of a well known pedophile.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe now stand as an example that, together, supporting each other, we can get through devastating life experiences IMO.

 

[catswhiskers]

It's heartbreaking to even imagine what the Morcombes have had to endure over the past decade or so. I've always been struck by the sadness and fear in Denise's eyes over the years - to me they have shown exactly what sort of grief she has been experiencing. It could be my imagination or wishful thinking, but since the conviction I really feel you can see that maybe some of that pain has gone from her eyes - I thought this during the 60 Minutes segment and now again in photos of the Morcombes in the WW as well.

 

[marlywings]

Solicitor Tim Meehan says his client Brett Peter Cowan ‘safe’ in solitary confinement but heckled by other prisoners

March 28, 2014

CHILD killer Brett Peter Cowan has begun his new life of solitary confinement at Wolston Correctional Centre, where he is heckled each time he is moved around.

Bosscher Lawyers solicitor Tim Meehan visited his client yesterday and said Cowan was realistic about his future.

“He is in solitary confinement so there are no concerns for his safety, but that doesn’t stop other inmates when he’s being moved around the prison, from calling out to him.’’

http://www.news.com.au/national/que...-other-prisoners/story-fnii5v6w-1226866920829

 

[they'll get you]

Solicitor Tim Meehan says his client Brett Peter Cowan ‘safe’ in solitary confinement but heckled by other prisoners

March 28, 2014

CHILD killer Brett Peter Cowan has begun his new life of solitary confinement at Wolston Correctional Centre, where he is heckled each time he is moved around.

Bosscher Lawyers solicitor Tim Meehan visited his client yesterday and said Cowan was realistic about his future.

“He is in solitary confinement so there are no concerns for his safety, but that doesn’t stop other inmates when he’s being moved around the prison, from calling out to him.’’

http://www.news.com.au/national/que...-other-prisoners/story-fnii5v6w-1226866920829

Awww our collective hearts bleed for him. I'm sure the inmates would love to give him a big tattooed shoulder to cry on. NOT!

 

[janeom74]

Mr Meehan said recent reports that his client would have access to a “smorgasbord’’ of child and illegal drugs were ridiculous.

The claims were made by former high-profile Gold Coast lawyer Michael Yarwood, who spent nine months in prison for misappropriation of funds and forgery.

“That’s just insane,’’ Mr Meehan said.

“Some people have been watching too many movies.’’

Good to know!

 

[MsAnais]

Good to know!

Sadly, I believe Yarwood rather than Cowan's solicitor. He's not going to admit the truth.:facepalm:

I've had clients who've lived the majority of their young lives in juvenile detention and then jail - and they do indeed have access to everything they do out here.........:scared:

 

[they'll get you]

I love happy endings.
Scum is cleaned from our streets.
It's feels like a wonderful spring clean and trash upended into the dumpster.
I can dream......

John Lennon's song 'Imagine' comes to mind.

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Until the judicial system understands pedophiles and reoffending rapists can't be rehabilitated there will be other Daniels and Jill Meaghers.....that's no dream it's an ongoing nightmare.