Media Release:
30th August 2008
Paying For Murder – One Mans Epic Battle For Justice
“This Documentary illustrates the catastrophic outcome of a failed ideology that has exposed innocent members of the
public to an unacceptable risk.”
Don’t get angry – get even, is obviously the motto of a man who lost his wife in one of New Zealand’s most horrendous
multiple murders.
The killings were preventable – the offender was on Parole at the time!
When Tai Hobson’s wife was murdered he got angry – but Tai also decided to get even and decided to bring to account
those responsible for his wife’s death.
Tai’s epic battle for justice and victims’ rights has created legal history.
William Bell was on parole [102 previous offences] when he murdered Mary Hobson, Bill Absolum and Wayne Johnson and left
Susan Couch fighting for her life.
A distant relative of Governor Hobson, Tai became the face for victims’ rights and created legal history when he accused
the crown of negligence, the documentary “Paying for murder,” follows Tai’s seven year epic battle with the High Court
and the Court of Appeal. Both Courts have dismissed his claim.
But Sue Couch the only survivor of Bells murderous rampage has picked up the cudgels and has been granted permission by
the Supreme Court to sue the Crown.
This documentary is a must watch, it graphically exposes the uphill battle a victim faces in their fight for justice. It
also covers Tai Hobson’s visit to America’s toughest jail.
Tai said, “I wanted to compare that system to New Zealand’s soft system that allowed Bell with 102 previous offences to
be paroled. Mary and the others would still be alive today if we removed our repeat offenders like they do”.
Garth McVicar whose organization, the Sensible Sentencing Trust has helped fund the Court battle says, “This Documentary
illustrates the catastrophic outcome of a failed ideology that has exposed – and continues to expose – innocent members
of the public to an unacceptable risk.”
Paying for murder, September 4th T V3, 9:30pm.
ends