Susan Couch payout of $300,000

[Zedder]

Aurther Allen Thomas was wrongly convicted of a crime (by planted evidence), he was COMPENSATED for the time he spent locked up.

That, I am happy with (even better would be the 1M paid from the seized assets of the Police officers and detectives that planted the evidence, you know, like restorative justice.

But it has nothing in common with this case, which I feel sets a bet precedence.

Better is forcing the criminal to work in Prison and proceeds going to her, this I am 100% comfortable with.

Expecting the state to pay out?

Bad move guys, time are tough, and the harder we push the Gvt bank balance, the harder we make it for ourselves.

Bang on! Bell shouldn't be in prison though, we still pay. It's the same as the "victory" over councils and the leaky building syndrome, we pay.

[Genestho]

Ah come on man, leaky buildings are hardly the same as a bloke with over 100 convictions who decides he'd like to kill a few people, leaving one struggling to survive each day for the rest of her life while raising a family.

The fact she even had to fight this hard for so long is incredible especially with her disabilities, no-one else in this country has done it, very few would.

But it does mean others won't need to do so, she's carved a path to this point and time - so your tax shouldn't be so stretched regarding these matters in the future

In a basic comparison - If you operate or own a business and you lose money because of failures that you admit to, then you make damn sure you strengthen procedures and make sure you're not hit in the pocket (or reputation) again.

This lady is sharp of mind, but she's physically disabled, she has a speech impediment.
She cannot work directly because she was left for dead. How does she support her family and her disability when the options are near zero, put yourself in her shoes, what would you do?

Nothing? Go live under a bridge? Why? Why should she?

If my tax can go towards a safer community and better procedures, I'm all for it, fark I'd donate to the cause, actually I already do.

[Zedder]

Ah come on man, leaky buildings are hardly the same as a bloke with over 100 convictions who decides he'd like to kill a few people, leaving one struggling to survive each day for the rest of her life while raising a family.

The fact she even had to fight this hard for so long is incredible especially with her disabilities, no-one else in this country has done it, very few would.

But it does mean others won't need to do so, she's carved a path to this point and time - so your tax shouldn't be so stretched regarding these matters in the future

In a basic comparison - If you operate or own a business and you lose money because of failures that you admit to, then you make damn sure you strengthen procedures and make sure you're not hit in the pocket (or reputation) again.

This lady is sharp of mind, but she's physically disabled, she has a speech impediment.
She cannot work directly because she was left for dead. How does she support her family and her disability when the options are near zero, put yourself in her shoes, what would you do?

Nothing? Go live under a bridge? Why? Why should she?

If my tax can go towards a safer community and better procedures, I'm all for it, fark I'd donate to the cause, actually I already do.

The point both SS90 and I are making is that the criminals should pay. Not the tax payer or victims. Make it so lobbyist.

[Genestho]

The point both SS90 and I are making is that the criminals should pay. Not the tax payer or victims. Make it so lobbyist.

Oh no I'm an EX my days are done, but clearly still passionate!! Comparing this though to a leaky building fired ones cylinders up.. LOL!

Already done sir, they already do pay a levy. That policy was put in place in '09. But this case was '01.

And remember part of the problem has been admitted to by corrections after internal investigations turned out information. If they were doing as they were supposed to, would he have been the threat he became? Who knows, all we have is now

[Zedder]

Oh no I'm an EX my days are done, but clearly still passionate!! Comparing this though to a leaky building fired ones cylinders up.. LOL!

Already done sir, they already do pay a levy. That policy was put in place in '09. But this case was '01.

And remember part of the problem has been admitted to by corrections after internal investigations turned out information. If they were doing as they were supposed to, would he have been the threat he became? Who knows, all we have is now

They pay a levy? Only a levy, WTF?

[Genestho]

They pay a levy? Only a levy, WTF?

There's bound to be reparations paid out as a result of court cases as well but I'd wager very little - blood out of a stone comes to mind, but I guess a levy ensures there's regular money coming into the fund.

[Zedder]

There's bound to be reparations paid out as a result of court cases as well but I'd wager very little - blood out of a stone comes to mind, but I guess a levy ensures there's regular money coming into the fund.

I feel much better now and hope all those murder victims are too.

[Genestho]

I feel much better now and hope all those murder victims are too.

Yes, I suppose it is better than families having to pay for their own counselling and extra support, travel to any legal proceedings and loss of work while this all occurs, etc.

Costly business, more so when a survivor is permanently disfigured and disabled.
Cheers.

[Maha]

That's an unfortunate and cynical attitude - are you sure you mean it? The guy has worked for this lady for years. Do you also disrespect volunteer sports coaches, charity street collectors, foster parents etc because they have day jobs (teacher, nurse, police etc) being paid by the taxpayer?

Probably the way you read it? (you being in the industry and all) but I can assure you, I was merely pointing out a fact.
Fact being, said lawyer was not working all those years, out of the kindness of his heart.

[Zedder]

Yes, I suppose it is better than families having to pay for their own counselling and extra support, travel to any legal proceedings and loss of work while this all occurs, etc.

Costly business, more so when a survivor is permanently disfigured and disabled.
Cheers.

I certainly don't mind any money going to assist the families, it all helps. However, they lose loved ones permanently while the murderers live on at the tax payers' (and that obviously includes the affected families) expense.

[Genestho]

I certainly don't mind any money going to assist the families, it all helps. However, they lose loved ones permanently while the murderers live on at the tax payers' (and that obviously includes the affected families) expense.

Well if you're referring to the death penalty, this will never happen in New Zealand, ever. Fact.

Other ways have been lobbied for as far as cost savings but, of course we wouldn't want people to get cold bits or only eat peanut butter sammidges 3x a day, whilst wearing pink uniforms digging holes and filling them in, or have sore bumbums from a naughty smacky stick (as in Singapore), so I don't know how much can change there..

Public stocks and signs would be great for lesser crime but gosh darn it, we might just hurt some feelings there, can't have that..

There's practical things to save on costs like pulling some of the what we see as privileges but then the Lefties get all upset and say that worse behaviour is created, or then there'll be a payout siting Human Rights violation because someone lost a TV for being naughty.

A lot has been done in a positive way, but it's mostly unseen by outsiders. And of course the negative is seized upon by media or detractors who have their own barrows to push.

[Zedder]

Well if you're referring to the death penalty, this will never happen in New Zealand, ever. Fact.

Other ways have been lobbied for as far as cost savings but, of course we wouldn't want people to get cold bits or only eat peanut butter sammidges 3x a day, whilst wearing pink uniforms digging holes and filling them in, or have sore bumbums from a naughty smacky stick (as in Singapore), so I don't know how much can change there..

Public stocks and signs would be great for lesser crime but gosh darn it, we might just hurt some feelings there, can't have that..

There's practical things to save on costs like pulling some of the what we see as privileges but then the Lefties get all upset and say that worse behaviour is created, or then there'll be a payout siting Human Rights violation because someone lost a TV for being naughty.

A lot has been done in a positive way, but it's mostly unseen by outsiders. And of course the negative is seized upon by media or detractors who have their own barrows to push.

I don't believe prison is the answer. There's way too much human rights rubbish when it comes to murderers and career criminals. The good old days were better with chain gangs, women doing as they were told by men, things like that......

[Swoop]

Well if you're referring to the death penalty, this will never happen in New Zealand, ever.

"Ever" is quite a long time. I certainly would not rule out the return of the death penalty here.

[SPman]

That's the next court case , because acc didn't help her ( as heard on national this morning)
As for sending , an. Violent alkie to work in a pub , with a history of similar,
Remember 300k is not very much now and it was up to 500k,
Minus fees?
Poor form national
Poor form

Stephen

But what do you expect from those who would lord it over us.....!

[tbs]

The interesting thing about this is that she was seeking punitive damages. This means the negligence by the defendant had to be abnormally severe, as unlike the American system, punitive damages are very hard to get here.

I'm a little unsure how much precedent this will set though. As I understand it, Sue settled out of court, based on the Corrections Department trying to minimize the cost of their own defense. It wasn't really a victory for her at all, as she accepted about half what it would have cost Corrections to defend, and if you consider the sum has to be spread across her now life-long disability, it doesn't amount to much. It's not like she can live off the interest.


I used to see Sue quite often where I worked, as she was friends with a worker next door. She was so messed up after the attack. It was awful to see.

I think we as tax payers and citizens have a duty to look after her. We pay to keep Bell locked up. Victims have to be looked after too. Part of that social contract we all share.