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受害者的支持者们对街头杀人案主犯的判决深恶痛绝。
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受害者的支持者们对街头杀人案主犯的判决深恶痛绝。
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25851934-661,00.html
UPDATE 2.01pm: VICTIMS groups are disgusted at a sentence handed to the callous leader of a gang which kicked a man to death.
They intend to ask the Director of Public Prosecutions to appeal the sentence of 15 years, with a minimum of 10, given to John Caratozzolo, the ringleader of seven youths who bashed and kicked
Dr Zhongjun Cao to death in a Footscray street in January last year.
Victims' advocates claimed the sentence for Caratozzolo, 20, whom Supreme Court Justice David Harper described as "a laughing murderer'', was manifestly inadequate and out of touch with community expectations.
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"If John Brumby thinks he has problems with the Indian community, wait until he sees the reaction of the Chinese community to this sentence,'' said Steve Medcraft, of People Against Lenient Sentencing.
"These thugs went out to bash an Indian and when they couldn't find one, they picked on a Chinese person instead
"I find it amazing that someone with a record of extreme violence, which Caratozzolo had, could get such an inadequate sentence, even if he did plead guilty.
"It is time for the judiciary to be held accountable and for sentencing to reflect the horror and disgust of the community over crimes like this one.''
The court heard the gang kicked the gentle Victoria University researcher to death for fun while out "curry bashing" to get a new mobile phone has been jailed.
Caratozzolo laughed after inflicting a vicious kick to the head of his prone and dying victim.
Dr Cao, 41, was set upon and killed he walked home from Victoria University in Footscray in January last year.
Justice Harper said Caratozzolo, 20, suggested to his mates that they go "curry bashing" - meaning targeting and robbing Indians - because he needed a new mobile phone.
But when they saw Dr Cao walking alone the group attacked him without warning, assaulting him "for pleasure" without even asking for his phone.
One of the group dropped Dr Cao on his head during the attack and as he lay badly injured.
Caratozzolo launched a kick at his head as a parting gesture.
"You have become a laughing murderer," Justice Harper said.
After the fatal bashing the group went on to attack another man, an Indian student.
Dr Cao's widow Jingfang Zhou spoke of her love for her husband and the void his death had left in the lives of herself and their teenage daughter.
Justice Harper said Caratozzolo's racially-motiviated actions struck at the heart of the entire nation.
"Everyone in this city, in this state, and in this country - everyone whatever their gender, race or beliefs, has the right to walk the streets without fear," he said.
"You have diminshed the quality of life of us all."
Caratozzolo pleaded guilty to murder and robbery and was jailed for 15 years with a minimum of 10 years.
But Victims Support Group president Noel McNamara called the sentence a "disgrace'' which he believed would add to the pain of Dr Cao's widow and young daughter.
Chinese community leader Wellington Lee said the courts were not reflecting public expectations.
"What is a life worth?'' he asked.
"This is far too low a sentence for such a brutal act of thuggery and it sends the wrong message to the wider community.
"This was a defenceless man, an innocent victim. It has had devastating repurcussions for his family.''
Mr Lee, a JP who has sat on the bench and is a former member of the Parole Board, said he would favour an appeal to the DPP if legally possible.
[ 本帖最后由 稀饭 于 2009-7-30 13:09 编辑 ] |
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