Killer Aaron McDonald classic example of need for Conservative policy - McVicar
The Conservative Party Justice Spokesman, Garth McVicar believes the sentencing of killer Aaron McDonald is a classic
example of why an overhaul of the parole and sentencing system is required.”
McDonald, a P user who raped and murdered a Christchurch woman before attacking two hitch-hikers on the West Coast has
today been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 21 years.
As well as receiving a sentence on the murder charge of 21 years in jail before he can apply for parole, he was
sentenced to preventive detention on the rape charge with a minimum non-parole period of seven years, eight months.
McDonald, 39, spat on the courtroom floor after being sentenced in the Christchurch High Court. http://nzh.tw/11315391
McVicar who recently announced the Conservative party proposal to abolish parole and for a ‘Life’ sentence to mean life
in prison said that it was ridiculous that an offender such as McDonald could possibly be walking the streets ever again
but that was the reality of new Zealand’s current offender friendly system.
“Even though this despicable killer was sentenced to a minimum non-parole period of 21 years the current parole system
means the family of the woman he killed would at some stage in the future be notified that McDonald would be eligible
for parole.”
“That means all the old wounds are reopened and the nightmare for this family begins all over again.”
“We say we are a caring compassionate country but if that was true surely we should be ensuring this family never had to
face the reality of McDonald getting parole.”
McVicar said the Conservatives want to put victims before criminals and ensure public safety is the paramount
consideration and is enshrined into legislation.
“The Conservative policy will ensure killers such as McDonald will stay in prison for the rest of their life and we make
no apology for that.”
“This policy is the only way society can offer any relief to his victims and their families and ensure the public never
have to worry about the threat he poses ever again.”
ENDS