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Original poster

Grace Millane name suppression

46 replies

minesasaugagesupper · 22/11/2019 06:47

Just watching the news this morning about the terrible murder of Grace Millane in New Zealand. Why has her killer's name been suppressed? Does New Zealand not name suspects? If not, he has now been found guilty so why still the name suppression?

OP posts:

JamieVardysHavingAParty · 22/11/2019 10:45

Tortoiser

And there is the Beeb signposting the issue:

The purpose is to protect people not yet proven guilty - but also to have a fairer trial by ensuring the jury is not prejudiced by media coverage.

Not All Men Are Like This, but of those that are, they are like it repeatedly. He murdered Grace Millane, and it was not an accident. It was who he was. He will have done other things, and those victims deserve justice too.

areyouafraidofthedark · 22/11/2019 12:47

Daily mail have named and pictured him.

CateMay69 · 25/11/2019 03:41

To the person ‘who asked a Kiwi friend’. That friend has been proven to be a blowhard who doesn’t know naught. The murderer does not represent NZ in sport or anything else. He’s been proven in court to be a pathological liar, unemployed and unemployable, cast off from his family (because of his lies and dishonesty)...so the idea that an international sporting career being protected by name suppression is no more a nasty piece of fake news. Nasty in that it implies NZ would allow name suppression for such a purile reason, nasty because spreading gossip is never nice. No - he got name suppression because his wealthy family took legal advice and acted quickly- perhaps because they had been expecting something would happen with such a creep in their family and their name would need protecting. I’m sure no one in that family thought that whatever it was would be of this magnitude tho. Both families will live with this tragedy forever

BodenGate · 25/11/2019 03:48

He was also named and there was a photograph of him with an article about him in The Times on Saturday. I am so glad he was found guilty as I’ve been terribly worried that he would get away with it. My heart goes out to Grace’s parents who conducted themselves with such dignity throughout the trial.

BusterMove · 21/02/2020 05:47

He should fade into obscurity and the world should remember Grace's name instead.

KatherineJaneway · 21/02/2020 05:50

Some of my Kiwi friend's other FB friends have said there's a lot of rumors that he's potentially facing other charges, rape, etc. And the suppression order to do with that.

This is what I understood as well.

FenceFuckery · 21/02/2020 08:57

Sentenced today to 17 years without parole. Papers here (NZ) are saying he may appeal - god I hope not.

He’s definitely facing more charges as far as I know. Not sure what, but I’ve heard it’s pretty bad.

As an aside, I was called for Jury Service the other day. I didn’t get picked, but I was in the courtroom and one potential juror was challenged. No reason given of course, but he had the same last name as Grace’s killer. This was also for a murder trial.

I hope he gets all deserves in prison.

CateMay69 · 21/02/2020 09:08

He does not represent NZ in a sport or in any other way. He is a pathological liar who said he had a cousin in the All Blacks (rugby) - he doesn’t. No one knows why it’s still suppressed - but give it time.

Lordfrontpaw · 21/02/2020 09:11

We were pondering over breakfast why his lawyer tried the ‘she asked for it’ defence rather than a mental health issue (which he obviously has).

I’m glad - I didn’t catch who it was - someone linked to the trial called this nonsense out.

CateMay69 · 21/02/2020 09:11

He was named in the international media because NZ suppression orders (or any others) cannot be enforced now we have the internet. Locally it is hoped the comparatively small jury pool will not be totally contaminated. NZ does not have the poisonous red top tabloid press as is found in the UK

wowfudge · 21/02/2020 09:31

I thought he was found guilty in December and yesterday was about sentencing?

FenceFuckery · 21/02/2020 09:43

His trial was November (found guilty), and he was sentenced this morning NZ time

LunaTheCat · 21/02/2020 09:49

I thought most likely that he is about to be charged with another crime and that by naming him his defence will be able to say that any potential juror in a second trial will be unduly influenced - so name suppression increases the chance that he will be found guilty any other crimes, possibly including other crimes against women.

Deanetta · 21/02/2020 10:56

'We were pondering over breakfast why his lawyer tried the ‘she asked for it’ defence rather than a mental health issue (which he obviously has).'

Because a lawyer takes instructions from their client.. simple as that.

As a lawyer (although no expertise in criminal law) I get frustrated with comments such as 'the defence counsel are disgusting, should hang their heads in shame' etc... their job is to put forward the case as best they can following their client's instructions. And in England anyway (and I expect the same rule applies in NZ) a barrister has to represent the client that comes in front of them, if they have the requisite experience to do a competent job. They cannot refuse to act because they think the client is probably guilty or do not like the look of them (of course, if the client has told them they are guilty but want to hush it up then it's a different matter).

Lordfrontpaw · 21/02/2020 11:23

Oh I get that the lawyer can’t go down one route of the client doesn’t want it but wouldn’t they really really try it persuade them?

Wouldn’t someone like this have an automatic psych evaluation to see if they are able to stand trial - and surely it would bring up that he just isn’t right in the head.

I get that every one deserves representation and a fair trial (no matter who they are of what they have been a use of) but this whole ‘rough sex - she wanted it’ defence makes my skin crawl.

MT2017 · 21/02/2020 11:28

@AvocadosBeforeMortgages if it's illegal to name him you might want to remove your link.

Deanetta · 21/02/2020 12:42

If I was their lawyer then yes that is what I would look into, but perhaps they did do an assessment and found it was a no go.

(My frustration wasn't at you by the way, I appreciate it's a horrible defence, but some people don't seem to realise that the defence have to go with what the client tells them to do, there will be some instances when I am sure their skin is crawling too whilst having to make the submissions! I have also been watching too much Law and Order UK recently there all defence barristers are shown as smooth, crafty evaders of justice!).

RuffleCrow · 21/02/2020 12:47

I was so glad to see the judge firmly rejecting the "rough sex" defence. Sets a good precedent.

SoCrimeaRiver · 21/02/2020 12:59

I'd presumed it was because there's another case outstanding for this delight, and if they name him in relation to this case, it potentially makes jury picking difficult for future cases.

BusterMove · 21/02/2020 20:35

I think it' only illegal to name him in NZ. They have no jurisdiction over the media here.
However, it s probably prudent not too, in case it would affect any further trials or charges he may or may not be facing.

JamieVardysHavingAParty · 21/12/2020 23:05

@JamieVardysHavingAParty

Tortoiser

And there is the Beeb signposting the issue:

The purpose is to protect people not yet proven guilty - but also to have a fairer trial by ensuring the jury is not prejudiced by media coverage.

His name has been released now.

He's been found guilty of raping another woman and of abusing his girlfriend.

Ridiculous remarks from the judge and sadly the sentence will be concurrent with the time he's serving for murdering Grace, instead of added on.

www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/22/grace-millane-murderer-raped-another-british-tourist-months-earlier

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