Patrick Cronin’s family calls for overhaul of one-punch laws as his killer appeals sentence
THE parents of coward-punch victim Patrick Cronin have renewed calls to overhaul Victoria’s “brutal” justice system as their son’s killer tries to appeal his five-year minimum jail term.
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THE parents of coward-punch victim Patrick Cronin have renewed calls to overhaul Victoria’s “brutal” justice system as their son’s killer tries to appeal his five-year minimum jail term.
Matt Cronin and his wife Robyn were disgusted Andrew William Lee did not even have to appear in the Court of Appeal on Wednesday as his barrister argued his sentence was manifestly excessive.
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“This is the person who killed our son,” Mr Cronin said.
“He didn’t even have to appear in court for an appeal hearing to lessen his five-year pathetic sentence that he was given. It doesn’t sound like a justice system to us.”
Lee, 34, was jailed for a maximum of eight years after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of 19-year-old Patrick.
Patrick was trying to drag his friends to safety after a wild brawl erupted at the Windy Mile pub in Diamond Creek when Lee punched him from behind on April 16, 2016.
Peter Morrissey QC, for Lee, tried to downplay his actions, telling the Court of Appeal they fell in the lower range, not mid-range.
“The act itself was a basic act,” Mr Morrissey said.
He drew comparisons between Lee’s case and that of Richard Vincec, who was given the same sentence for a coward-punch that killed Jaiden Walker, 22, outside Cherry Bar in Melbourne's CBD in May last year.
He said Lee’s case was not “as bad” as Vincecs.
“Vincec saw his victim, intended to whack him ... whereas what was done by Mr Lee was different,” Mr Morrissey said.
He argued that Lee never intended to hit Patrick, but was instead aiming for his friend.
The Cronins chose to wait outside the courtroom, instead of being tormented yet again by details defending the actions of their son’s killer to try and get him a more lenient sentence.
“What happened in the courtroom today is all about the person who killed our son,” Mr Cronin said.
He said it was time the justice system put more emphasis on the victim.
“Except for our victim impact statements at the plea hearing we have had no voice in this whole process,” he said.
“We have experienced this brutal process of the legal system in Victoria.
“Most of us would think that the laws are there to protect us, law abiding citizens.
“But the reality is the laws are there at the moment protecting people who offend like the killer of our son.
“We strongly believe that we need to adopt a victim’s first approach when it comes to the legal system.”
Mr Cronin urged Victorians to sign their online petition pushing the Attorney-General Martin Pakula to urgently review the one-punch laws.
“As the message says on our shirts: it is time to be wise. There’s no excuse for not making change,” he said.
He said the law, which was introduced in 2014 to curb a spate of fatal one-punch attacks, and carries a minimum 10-year sentence, is currently unenforceable as the criteria regarding intent is hard to prove.
“Everyone thought Pat’s case would be the first where the 10 years would be given,” he said. “Our view is that it should have been murder. They say the difference between manslaughter and murder is intent. How can you throw an unintentional punch?
“We are hopeful that we get the right judgment out of today’s hearing. That the judge will see fit to dismiss this appeal.”
Court of Appeal Justice Emilios Kyrou will hand down his decision at a later date.