Aiia Maasarwe’s father attempts to delay her killer’s court case
Aiia Maasarwe’s killer, Codey Herrmann, has not been able to explain why he attacked the young Israeli-Palestinian student so brutally on the night their paths crossed but a court has heard his “unbridled anger at the world” is what drove him to kill.
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Killer rapist Codey Herrmann’s “unbridled anger at the world” drove him to kill an innocent young woman, a court has heard.
Herrmann, 21, had never met Aiia Maasarwe before they crossed paths in the dark of the night and he launched a brutal and degrading attack on her in Bundoora on January 16.
He has not been able to say why he chose the Israeli-Palestinian student as his victim.
But forensic psychiatrist Andrew Carroll on Wednesday told the Supreme Court Herrmann had “an eruption of suppressed rage” on the night he murdered and raped Ms Maasarwe.
“This is an angry homicide, not a sadistic homicide,” Dr Carroll said.
“It occurred in a state of anger.
“It was driven by anger.
“That anger which he’d held for many years towards the world in general and perhaps specifically targeted at females.”
The court heard Herrmann said he had “everything” to be angry about.
“Life, how I was going, how everyone looked at me and treated me,” the killer said.
“I had nothing, I could never achieve anything. Even my mates made fun of me.”
His shocking excuse for his crimes came as the court heard he also told his lawyer, Tim Marsh, how life in prison is far better than on the outside.
“Most of the other men in my unit talk about all the things that they’ve given up or had to give up since they’ve been incarcerated,” Herrmann said. “I can only think in terms of all the things I’ve gained.
“I’ve gained a safe place to sleep, I get fed three times a day, I have a shower, and I’ve also gained a sense of hope that, maybe one day if I behave myself in custody, I might get to go to a prison that has good programs.”
The court heard Herrmann’s early childhood was plagued with neglect and abuse before he was placed in foster care.
He felt abandoned by his parents and struggled to make friends, first showing signs of aggression in school, where he was “unable to stop himself harming” other students.
He turned to drugs in his teenage years and became homeless.
Herrmann has pleaded guilty to the rape and murder of Ms Maasarwe.
The second day of the pre-sentence hearing began on Wednesday with an unsuccessful attempt by Ms Maasarwe’s dad, Saeed, to delay the case so he could fly to Melbourne.
Mr Bourke said widespread media reporting overnight of the case had been distressing for Mr Maasarwe and he wanted to be present for the balance of the hearing.
He said Mr Maasarwe was in China, while his wife and two surviving daughters were in Israel, so they would need a week to get to Australia.
“These proceedings are about the murder of my daughter. I now need to be there,” Mr Maasarwe told Mr Bourke on a phone call this morning, the court heard.
Justice Elizabeth Hollingworth said she did not want to cause any further distress to the victim’s family, but was “hesitant” to delay the case.
Her court diary meant she was not available next week, with an adjournment likely to see the case not finalised until next year.
“It seems to me to be in no one’s interest to adjourn,” Justice Hollingworth said.
She said the family had been aware of this hearing and provided victim impact statements, which were read out in court on Tuesday.
“It’s always been open for the family to be here,” she said.
She said the court can also offer video link arrangements around the world, but this was never requested.
Justice Hollingworth remarked the media reporting of the case that she had seen had been “very responsible”.
She dismissed the application but set sentencing down for October 29 to allow the family time to make arrangements to be here.
Horrific details emerged on the first day of the hearing on Tuesday of Ms Maasarwe’s final moments as Herrmann beat her over the head multiple times with a pole and raped her as she walked home in Bundoora on January 16.
Herrmann, 21, has pleaded guilty to murder and rape.
The prosecution is pushing for the maximum penalty of life behind bars.
But defence barrister Tim Marsh said such a sentence would be crushing for such a young man with no prior convictions.
Mr Marsh did not try to excuse Herrmann’s crimes, but urged Justice Hollingworth to take into consideration his early guilty plea and personal circumstances when sentencing him.
He said Herrmann was repeatedly abused and neglected from six months.
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His lifestyle had become one of pursuing intoxication through methamphetamine and cannabis, he said.
“His life followed a rhythm that was essentially, get Centrelink, buy drugs, share them with mates, shoplift food from the supermarket,” Mr Marsh said.
“He subsisted on a diet of croissants and chocolate milk.”
Mr Marsh said: “This issue of gross power imbalance between himself and the world is the fuel that’s driving this offending.”
The hearing continues.