Russell Kirkpatrick's Journal
30 Pieces of Silver
30-May-2008
Time for another rant unrelated to writing.
A while back I talked about Garth McVicar and the damage his 'Sensible Sentencing Trust' is doing to New Zealand. Last year's 'White Rose Day', an attempt to get the government to legislate tougher jail sentences for drink-drivers, is a case in point: each jailed driver costs us $100,000 a year, when they could simply be disqualified from driving and still remain productive.
He's at it again, this time in an even more dangerous manner. In a recent murder trial the Crown's case revolved around a 'confession' the accused made to a woman. Turns out she was offered $50,000 by the Sensible Sentencing Trust if the accused was convicted as a result of her 'evidence' (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4565264a10.html). She was discredited by the defence lawyer and the accused man was acquitted.
What? McVicar's mob interfere directly in the course of justice, leading to the acquittal of the only suspect (who may well have been innocent, but we'll never know now, Garth). I had no idea this sort of thing went on (I know the police pay informants, but not other organisations), and can't work out why it's not illegal and punishable by imprisonment. Crime bosses used to threaten or pay off witnesses to avoid convictions. What next. Mr McVicar? Send the heavies round to rough up a witness for the defence?
It's time people woke up to the danger this man is causing.