Peter Dutton: ‘The law is an ass ... I’m sorry’

WHEN asked about a court’s decision to downgrade Gerard Baden-Cly’s murder conviction, Acting Justice Minister Peter Dutton didn’t hold back.

wsnbus cm173871 Westside News business achievers - Real Estate winner Gerard Baden-Clay from Century 21

ACTING Justice Minister and Queenslander Peter Dutton said The Courier-Mail “got it dead right” by calling the law “an ass” following the decision to downgrade Gerard Baden-Clay’s murder conviction.

“The law is an ass and I’m sorry to say that’s the reality,” he told 2GB radio.

Wednesday’s bold front page of The Courier-Mail simply stated “The law is an ass”, with an editorial stating Baden-Clay didn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Thursday’s follow-up front page.

Wednesday’s front page.

Brisbane man Baden-Clay was found guilty in July last year of the murder of his wife Allison but this week his conviction was downgraded to manslaughter. He could next month argue he should be immediately released for time served.

The decision was blasted by many, including Allison’s family who said they were in shock and disbelief.

“Judges should have independence but they should reflect community views,” Mr Dutton said this morning.

“Nobody is saying there is an investigation ongoing to find out who the killer was of Alison. I think the police believe they have pretty much got the bloke. There is no sense there is somebody else out there wandering around killing other women in the Western Suburbs.

“I think they have done the investigation. I think they are pretty certain as to who killed this woman.

Peter Dutton said he feels for Allison Baden-Clay’s family after Gerard’s legal team won the appeal.

“And I feel for those poor girls and for Allison’s parents. They are to be dragged through this again, and this bloke, if he had one shred of decency, would stick his hand up. He’d cop the consequences, admit to what he’s done for the sake of his own daughters.”

Originally published as Peter Dutton: ‘The law is an ass ... I’m sorry’