Moko: Protest at every Court in tribute to Moko

9th May 2016

“We call on all people who are outraged by the reduced charges – and consequently much shorter sentence – faced by Moko’s killers to show their support for an overhaul of the system by protesting on 27 June. If you can’t make it to Rotorua, there will be a protest at the High Court nearest you” McVicar

Three year old Moko Rangitoheriri was beaten to death over a prolonged period by two evil people who were entrusted with his care. His injuries were so bad his mother had trouble recognizing him, and the pathologist had trouble determining which of his many life threatening injuries were responsible for his death. His brutal killers were charged with murder, but after a sleazy behind closed doors deal, the Crown accepted a plea of manslaughter instead. Moko’s killers will receive an inevitably inadequate sentence in Rotorua on 27 June.

“Moko’s death must not be in vain” said Sensible Sentencing Trust founder Garth McVicar

“This tragic case – one of God knows how many happening around the country every week – has highlighted the sleazy practice of state initiated plea bargaining, under which people who richly deserve to be convicted of murder, and spend most of the rest of their lives in prison, instead do a few years for manslaughter and get released” McVicar said.

“Plea bargaining used to be a shady practice initiated by defence lawyers. Under changes introduced by the government three years ago, Crown lawyers are now permitted – in fact incentivized – to sell victims short and enter into sleazy deals which enrich them, and make a mockery of our justice system, and the rights of victims” said McVicar.

“Sensible Sentencing plans to mount protests outside every High Court in the Country on 27 June, the day Tania Shailer and her boyfriend David Haewera are sentenced for the reduced crime of manslaughter in the High Court at Rotorua. Almost 20 years ago, thousands of people protested outside courthouses all over the country to protest the prosecution of Mark Middleton, who was charged with threatening to kill the murderer of his stepdaughter Karla Cardno. Those protests led directly to the formation of the Sensible Sentencing Trust.”

“Seventeen years later there have been many changes to our justice system - mostly good, but some bad. A state initiated system of plea bargaining, which has directly led to this outrage is definitely one of the bad, and must be reversed” said McVicar.

“There are numerous questions to be answered about this case, starting with why Crown Solicitor Amanda Gordon agreed to accept a guilty plea to manslaughter in a case which experienced defence barristers say is clearly a case of murder” McVicar said.

“We call on all people who are outraged by the reduced charges – and consequently much shorter sentence – faced by Moko’s killers to show their support for an overhaul of the system by protesting on 27 June. If you can’t make it to Rotorua, there will be a protest at the High Court nearest you” McVicar said

“We want to send a clear message to the government by getting tens of thousands of signatures on a petition calling for an end to a system that not only allowed but facilitated Moko’s heartless and evil killers receiving much less than they deserve” said McVicar.

“A Give a Little page has been set up to fund a campaign to bring about change. We want people to both give what they can to that fund, and turn out on 27 June to their nearest High Court. Don’t let Moko’s death be in vain. Take action”
https://www.facebook.com/justiceformoko/
https://givealittle.co.nz/donate/Cause/justiceformoko

ENDS

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