Queenslanders outraged over sentence for teen who killed three in stolen car
The ‘appalling’ sentence given to a teenage driver who killed three women after crashing a stolen Mercedes has sparked renewed debate over sentencing in Qld. VOTE IN OUR POLL
Opinion
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Many Queenslanders will again be wondering what is the life of a victim of crime worth to a magistrate or judge in 2024 after the appalling sentence given to a teen who killed three beautiful people because of his own impulsive stupidity.
‘Beyond disgusting’ was the sentiment expressed as news broke that a boy, now 16, could be released from jail by Christmas 2026.
Surely the lives of nurse Sheree Roberston, 52, youth pastor Michale Chandler, 29, and dancer Kelsie Davies, 17, are worth much more than that.
Sole survivor of the crash Kaylah Behrens Kaylah, who was also a member of Reach Church and travelling with her two friends, suffered a brain injury which caused a lifelong cognitive defect.
She and Kelsie’s mother Susan Marcus were among the large crowd in the gallery of the Maroochydore Children’s Court to hear the result on Thursday.
As shattered families walked out of the courthouse, Lisa Latimer, the sister of Ms Robertson who was on her way home from a nursing shift at Maryborough hospital when she was killed, said she had “no faith in the justice system”.
“He is out in two years … how much is my sister’s life, plus the other girls as well?” she said.
“It’s just not fair.”
Many on social media made comments about ‘what happened to adult crime, adult time’ without realising, of course, the teen was being sentenced under current laws.
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington confirmed she was considering an appeal.
“The survivor and the families of the three victims were handed a life sentence in the wake of this horrific crash,’’ Ms Frecklington said.
“I will be considering all aspects of the sentencing and obtaining further advice about the legal options available to me.’’
In sentencing, Judge Gary Long said no sentence would ever be sufficient recompense for the grave losses and injury caused by the offending.
He noted that the maximum sentence available for the dangerous driving causing death charge was seven years in prison.
Judge Long told the court he had regard to the boy’s young age and the absence of prior criminal history.
He noted the boy had been in custody for more than 580 days and that he’d admitted to Youth Justice workers while in custody that he had been driving angrily after his friends had gotten out of the car and said it was a “dumb” thing to do.
Judge Long ordered that 60 per cent of that six-year sentence must be served in custody.
On social media, many express the view the teenager should be behind bars for the rest of his life, given the life sentence he had given the families of each of his victims.
They would also double the maximum sentence for children found guilty of burglary, serious assault of a police officer, carjacking and robbery from seven years to 14 years
Children convicted of murder would face a maximum of life in prison.
But the big question remains is will Queensland judges and magistrates actually fall into line with community expectations and hand out these types of sentences?
Or will our teenagers continue to get into stolen cars and drive like maniacs, knowing if they kill someone, they could be out in just a few years?
WHAT YOU SAID
Greg Cubit
The Attorney-General needs to appeal over this weak sentence. Unacceptable! Judges and magistrates still haven’t got the message that community expectations are the maximum sentence.
Tamara Bell
This is appalling. Surely it can be challenged. Our new premier wants to get tough on “youth crime” let’s see him put his words into action and appeal this pathetic sentence. The judicial system is a joke and this a slap in the face to 3 families already overcome with grief.
Rebecca Wicks
No surprise. At all. Unless it affects the judges, nothing will change.
Dean Beeson
Disgraceful!!!! And they wonder why the country is the way it is.....no deterrent for crimes these days
Jamie Allan
They put fear into us, About time the fear is put back into them!’ Grow some balls Judges and stop falling for the hard luck stories! FFS
Brendan Graham
What is this world coming to? I wish there were (little) consequences for my actions when I was that age! Then again, I was taught respect
Janice Whittle
He took 3 lives and destroyed another. He should get life!
Julie Smith
He may be a teen but he damwell knows right from wrong
Rose Sombre
This is beyond disgusting.
Damien Saint
We as a community are allowing this to happen.
Not in my backyard so it doesn’t affect me.
We should be contacting our newly elected members of parliament and expressing our dismay and demanding what are they going to do as this outcome is unacceptable.
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Originally published as Queenslanders outraged over sentence for teen who killed three in stolen car
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