Good Samaritan Killer Would Die In Prison Under Three Strikes

Austin Hemmings killer would die in prison if New Zealand had a Three Strikes law before Pauesi Leofa Brown murdered the Good Samaritan in Auckland last year says the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

Trust Spokesman Garth McVicar said Browns previous violent history including killing his partner in Australia in 1992 should have ensured a sentence of at least thirty years but Justice Geoffrey Venning sentenced him to a non-parole period of only 16 years.

“The Judge made all the right noises about protecting the community and Brown not being remorseful and then gave a contemptible sentence that will see Brown released yet again.”

“The Judge had the opportunity to throw away the key and ensure this despicable killer never walked the streets again but obviously his consideration for the killer outweighed any empathy for the Hemmings family.”

McVicar said it was pathetic sentences like this that Three Strikes was designed to prevent, “it is just a pity the law was not passed in time to ensure Brown was sentenced under the new legislation.”

“Under the current law there was nothing to stop the Judge sending Brown to jail for thirty years or more, he could have ensured the community were protected and saved the Hemmings family the ongoing anxiety of facing the Parole Board in 16 years time – but he failed to do so.”

“This case is a classic example of why New Zealand needed Three Strikes, while opponents said that Judges already had the ability to give preventive detention sentences this case proves they will not use it even for the most brutal killers.” END

PAUESI LEOFA BROWNS LIFE OF VIOLENCE WOULD ENSURE HE WOULD DIE IN PRISON UNDER THE NEW THREE STRIKES LAW
1987: Pauesi Brown attacks a man in Avondale, stabbing him in the thigh and upper chest. He is sentenced to one year in prison.
1989: Brown attacks two people in an Auckland boarding house, threatening them with knives. He is sentenced to one year and four months in prison.
1992: Brown attacks and kills his estranged girlfriend with a knife in Australia . He is charged with murder and is convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years in prison.
2004: Brown attacks a man with a knife in his car in West Auckland . Sentenced to two years and four months in prison.
2008: Brown attacks and kills Austin Hemmings in central Auckland . He pleaded guilty yesterday to murder, and is to be sentenced next month.

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