Justice

But first the Boks: Oz 30 SA 13 And although 2 tries each it was really all Australia. The Boks seem bereft of ideas except one try from a line-out was well done. Now on to Melbourne next week.

Justice: a good article in the Sunday Star Times re the Sophie Elliot murder. Her father poses some questions which are just common sense. When it comes to victims, the lawyers and politicians are pathetic.

He asks -
How can the defence select the lawyers of their choice, at our expense, but the victims can't

The right of silence - it should be done away with (it is not the 18th century)

Why do we have a Depositions hearing in the case of an obvious case to answer (lawyers make more money, the criminals string it out)

How come only the defence can have an Appeal - not the victims (the time to be served should not start until the Appeal is over and 10% should always be added to a sentence if the Appeal is lost)

State aid - basically nothing for the victims - just the criminals

Why should victim impact statements be censored (one Judge said it would upset the criminal!!)

It is time for our adversarial system to go (yes)

Why is so much either not asked or not brought to light or suppressed by the Judge. (From my personal point of view when I have been on a Jury what is not asked is the question Why isn't all the relevant evidence presented?)

It seems in this trial he was not in the Dock. I thought they always were, but in this trial he wasn't and was able (allowed) to pass notes to his Defence - an option not allowed to the victims

But as we all know nothing will happen and the mumbo jumbo lawyers, do-gooders, criminals and politicians will all be bleating about the 'poor misguided criminal'.