GUILTY NEW ZEALAND - Grace Millane, 22, British backpacker, Auckland, 1 Dec 2018 #3

[jamjim]

"Brookie said it was important to look at the case and where it fits in amongst other murder cases, to ensure consistancy in sentencing.

"This is a court of law, this is not a popularity contest," Brookie said."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"Brookie said a 17-year minimum period of imprisonment is "not realistic".

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"Auckland Crown Solicitor Brian Dickey is addressing Justice Simon Moore, ahead of sentencing.

Dickey said there was a "high level of brutality, depravity and cruelty" in Grace's murder, therefore the killer should spent at least 16 years in prison.

He said there were a number of aggravating factors, such as the brutality and callousness he showed after killing her, including searching for and taking intimate photographs.

"Manual strangulation, by its nature is a very close quarters, personal and callous thing to do to another person, and to kill them."

"The very act of strangulation is a personalised way to kill a person."

The intimate photos taken of Grace, shortly after her death shows the killer eroticised this death, Dickey said.

He said the defence maintains the photo wasn't taken after her death, but he argues that submission doesn't hold much weight.

"There is of course, the events afterwards ... the way the defendant went about his life, trying to date other women and trying to cover his tracks ... this is not rough sex gone wrong, this was a violent death," he said."

Grace Millane: Murderer to be sentenced for killing British backpacker

 

[jamjim]

Brookie said, respectfully, the Crown's summary of the facts is "incomplete".

"This is not a case involving a high-degree of callousness, brutality or depravitiy. No more than any other murder case."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"Brookie urged Justice Moore to sentencing his client with the knowledge the killer and Millane had engaged in consensual sex.

"There is no evidence of any non-consensual attack on the deceased.

"There is no sustained attack, there is no evidence of any other violence, which we unfortunately see in many other murders."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[CoverMeCagney]

"Brookie said it was important to look at the case and where it fits in amongst other murder cases, to ensure consistancy in sentencing.

"This is a court of law, this is not a popularity contest," Brookie said."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

A list of the longest murder sentences:

Life imprisonment in New Zealand - Wikipedia

 

[jamjim]

"Defence lawyer Ian Brookie suggests a 10-year prison term is the most appropriate sentence"

Grace Millane: Murderer to be sentenced for killing British backpacker

 

[jamjim]

"Talking about the killer's actions after Millane's murder, Brookie said attempting to cover up a homicide and trying to hide or bury the body is "not too uncommon in this country", Brookie said."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[Legally Bland]

I'd forgotten how much I disliked Brookie (I know he's just doing his job etc.).

 

[Alyce]

This is a court of law, this is not a popularity contest," Brookie said.


Not for the first time, I do wonder where this man gets his vocab from !

 

[jamjim]

"Brookie said there was no disputed that his client's first police interview in December 2018 was "a lie".

He said the killer admitted that two days later.

But, Brookie submitted, the killer had not lied to police throughout the investigation.

In the killer's second police interview he confessed to Millane dying in his apartment before then telling police where her body was."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[Alyce]

I note how the killer had his head down during the victim impact statements, but was taking careful note of the prosecution speech. Speaks volumes

 

[jamjim]

I'd forgotten how much I disliked Brookie (I know he's just doing his job etc.).

I remember during the trial we spent the majority of the time thinking at a lot of the stuff he came out with!

 

[jamjim]

"Brookie said it was accepted that "of course some uplift should occur to mark the post death conduct and concealment of the body".

But he said a total of no more than 12 years in prison without parole for the killer was "appropriate".

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

"When compared with other murders, Brookie, said "this was certainly not a brutal or callous case".

"We're more in the 12 year department," he said for the non-parole period.

He said there were also mitigating factors.

Brookie said the killer's father and other members of his family had provided the court with information about his background.

"He was cut off from his mother and his only brother from a very young age."

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[Legally Bland]

There is no evidence of any non-consensual attack on the deceased.

RSBM.

It's almost like he's retrying the case. Of course there was a non-consensual attack.

 

[jamjim]

Brookie trying to get in a 'troubled soul' defence by the sounds of it

 

[jamjim]

"Brookie said by December 2018, the killer had "become isolated" from his family.

He said the murderer had a real prospect of rehabilitation.

"Of course sentencing here has to be about punishment," he said, but he added "thankfully" we live in a country where we consider rehabilitation.

He urged Justice Moore not to impose a sentencing that will be "crushing".

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[jamjim]

Justice Simon Moore has now begun his sentencing remarks.

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death

 

[Alyce]

Some uplift should occur.......we're in the 12 year department

he sounds like he's discussing some disappointing results from his sales team

 

[jamjim]

Justice Moore said "the real contest" at this sentencing was what minimum period of imprisonment should be ordered.

Grace Millane murder: Killer to be sentenced this morning over British backpacker's death