Public interest or ratings?

[James Deuce]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2594...ton-found-dead

Do we need pictures of body bags? No, I don't think so.

No one is allowed dignity when there is a story in the offing.

Apparently "we" asked for that.

[Winston001]

But what's the maximum he could get? Preventitive detention? 18 years...out in 12? I'm hoping the former.

The maximum sentence for manslaughter is life imprisonment.

Preventive detention can only occur where there are previous serious convictions.

What the judge can do is recommend a minimum period before parole.

[Winston001]

Keep him on the stand, let him talk, because the more he talks the deeper the hole he digs for himself. No one will ever listen to that smug idiot who almost seems proud of himself and let him get away with the charges he is facing.

His defense will soon see (if they don’t already) that putting him on the stand was a mistake. But that’s a good thing – he should fry for what he has done, so let him dig that hole deeper and deeper.

Maybe not. The objective of the defence is to present a highly intelligent, personable young man - who is psychologically damaged. A little bit crazy. If the jury get drawn into believing he wasn't exactly sane when he committed this atrocious crime, then there is a chance of manslaughter. The gasps of disbelief at times in the court-room play into this.

Personally I can't see the jury being fooled.

[Ms Piggy]

I agree with everything you said in your post except this part. Keep him on the stand, let him talk, because the more he talks the deeper the hole he digs for himself. No one will ever listen to that smug idiot who almost seems proud of himself and let him get away with the charges he is facing.

Actually that's the point my Aunty made today when her and I were discussing this topic. The 1 positive of having all the diatribe of the trial is that once Weatherston has been convicted and comes up for parole all the verbal diarrhoea will stand as evidence against him and early release. We hope.

Anyway, this isn't so much about that particular trial but about the increase of graphic stories, photos, news reels that are posed as news in the "public interest".

I'm a stubborn bitch at times and I am pretty sure I can't change anything but I won't shrug my shoulders and accept it.

[Ms Piggy]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2594...ton-found-dead

Do we need pictures of body bags? No, I don't think so.

No one is allowed dignity when there is a story in the offing.

Apparently "we" asked for that.

Exactly my point! This is another example of the invasion of the media.

[Ms Piggy]

Ever since the invention of mass media, there have been hand-wringing women writing in to complain about its tastelessness (no offense, Cathy) but that has always had and will always have precisely zero effect.

Well that makes me a hand-wringer with the best of them - whatever that means!

[hospitalfood]

I think it takes two, in other words I think she was probably an utter bitch.

I think he should get murder. no question. you don't treat chicks that way ( even if they are an utter bitch ) .

shame that they did not kill each other really. the news would be hard pushed to drag it out this much.

question, is it as disturbing when the media drags out a "man kills man" case ?

[Ms Piggy]

question, is it as disturbing when the media drags out a "man kills man" case ?

Hmmm, interesting question...I'd like to think it would be if the injuries inflicted on the victim had been as violent and been reported in as much detail as they have in this case. But, knowing the media they wouldn't be.

[peasea]

Yep it does and it sucks arse way more when I have to hear/see violence with graphic detail in the name of journalism!

But it's NOT journalism, it's "get the faces in front of the paper/tv to sell ad's shock therapy", that's what it is.

We (the world as a whole) are in short supply of good journo's. These days it's all about jamming a camera in someone's face while some some bimbo asks inane questions or worse, jamming a camera in the face of some poor crime victim with the on-going, equally inane question "how does it feel?" etc etc. It's irritating.

I love the 'off' button, it's my friend.

[Paul in NZ]

Shaun S is right, best thing the prosecution can do is keep the clown there on the stand digging his own grave and dumbest thing the defense did was let him get up there (unless of course he insisted and they didn't particularly like him)

However, yes, coverage of some of this is getting silly - fame can be found these days by simply being dead. And we wonder why we see tui stickers on coffins. Frankly if there WAS to be this kind of coverage I'd make them show the bleeding, the bowel venting, the screaming, the agony and the guts on the ground while calling for mummy or praying to a god that does not answer so these dumb pricks would realise getting dead is not always an easy thing...

[Laava]

Haven't read all this thread but yes this guy sickens me too with his casual approach to his cowardly shamefull act! But I wonder has it occured to him that when he gets inside[He will get there!] that he will have zero sympathisers because of his bullshit courtroom dramatics? It's not A TV show FFS! Or is it?

[doc]

Isn't about time the victims got name suppression or something. We don't need to know all the nitty gritty and the name as well.

I usually avoid the news cos the 1st reports are more about sensation than facts.

[oldrider]

Personally I can't see the jury being fooled.

Joe Karam and David Bain....probably feel a bit different about that!

[merv]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2594...ton-found-dead

Do we need pictures of body bags? No, I don't think so.

No one is allowed dignity when there is a story in the offing.

Apparently "we" asked for that.

Not pretty that's for sure.

See my comments on Seddon here http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1129307943

[dave_a]

Isn't about time the victims got name suppression or something. We don't need to know all the nitty gritty and the name as well.

I usually avoid the news cos the 1st reports are more about sensation than facts.

The rights of victims in this country are absoulte bullshit, Nothing is geared towards the victim, Its all for the offender.

This shit is fucking sick, She has suffered enough, But to have every ounce of anything she has ever done wrong brought up in court for the whole country to see!, This is such a clear cut case why are they bringing anything up about her!!

This guy doesnt deserve a bullet, thats way to easy for him. I wont go into what he deserves Itl probably incriminate myself