There are a number of offenders who are so evil they should never be released, but current law means even the
worst-of-the-worst will come up for parole
Is it time we had a debate on what is an appropriate sentence for the likes of Baker and other murderers, current law
means they will come up for parole and possibly released.
Media Release:
11th September 2009
Ian Ashley: From The Heart
My name is Ian Ashley, my Son Liam was murdered. I now feel compelled to write. Three short years have passed and there
has not been a day that I don’t think about Liam and his violent death.
The Crim that took my son’s life decided to pull a stunt on the anniversary of his death and with a stroke of luck the
Police were involved and ended the stand-off without harm to innocent parties.
I have been made aware the Police will prosecute him for Kidnapping and Threatening to Kill.
Good on them, however there are some points you may like to consider.
Baker had previously caused trouble for Corrections last year in the back of a prison van, attempting to escape and
stabbing a guard with a makeshift weapon.
Corrections did not lay any charges, when will these people learn.
Again they allowed him unsupervised to make another weapon.
Now, there is no love lost for either party concerned.
The Police could have ended this fiasco with one shot to the head of Baker and this Country would be rid of an Evil
career criminal that does not deserve to be put back out to prey on the rest of the population.
I will only find the answer to his fate 15 years from now when he eligible for parole.
The next point I ask you to consider is that under current law Baker will serve no extra time for his latest offence, at
present a Life Sentence is the maximum a Judge can give, in our case this was commuted to a non-parole period of 18
years. Any new offences Baker commits are totally free of any punishment and this man will kill again.
Surely this part of the Law needs an overhaul as we all need to think about how to keep Baker and all our other Killers
inside for the rest of their miserable lives and death takes them – painfully – thinking about the loved-ones they have
taken from us.
You will all understand how the Media jumps on to all high profile cases and the past three years have taken a toll on
me and my family.
Last week I was baited into the Death Penalty debate which I refused to get into in depth until I had recovered from the
circus they put on in relation to Bakers offence.
I have thought long and hard about this issue as I have raised my Family on traditional family values, however between
the Anger and Sadness I believe there are some points that can be discussed.
There are a number of offenders who are so evil they should never be released, but current law means even the
worst-of-the-worst will come up for parole
Is it time we had a debate on what is an appropriate sentence for the likes of Baker and other murderers, current law
means they will come up for parole and possibly released.
I am sure most New Zealanders would like to ensure that these Evil killers never walked the streets again. There is only
two ways to ensure that, either introduce the death penalty or a TRUE LIFE sentence so they are never released.
To end; we have two more high profile gruesome murders ( Whetherston and Christchurch’s double murder) and a spate of
bashing defenceless children to death to contend with.
Surely all of these offenders should never see the light of day again.
Ian and Lorraine Ashley will attend the Sensible Sentencing Trust conference for families of Homicide Victims in Taupo
on September 19th & 20th.
ends