Media Statement
For immediate release
Monday, 9 June, 2003
Alexander: Finest justice money can buy
United Future law and order spokesman Marc Alexander today slammed a High Court decision halving the two-year jail
sentence of a speeding driver who killed a four-year-old girl, because his family offered a $40,000 donation to the
girl's kindergarten.
"I guess it's official: If you have the money, you can buy a lenient sentence," Mr Alexander said.
"As it was, I have a problem with two years for an unlicensed, speeding driver killing a child, but to half that is
truly absurd.
"There is a huge issue here: New Zealanders must now realise that if you stump up with enough cash, you can get your
sentence cut - even if you've taken a young child's life in one of the most irresponsible ways you could imagine.
"The decision is a disgrace to justice, and frankly, to the memory of the little girl," he said.
Chinese student Ding Yan Zhao, 19, killed Georgia McCarten-Graham and seriously injured her father when he lost control
of his vehicle having reached speeds of 110km/h in a 50km/h zone in Rangiriri in February this year. She was crushed
against a petrol station wall.
"The original sentencing judge ruled last month that 'offenders and their families should not have any grounds to
believe that they may be able to buy themselves out of prison'.
"I agree with him - but apparently we were both wrong," Mr Alexander said.
Ends.