Mentally impaired killer Henry Hammond will spend 25 years in a secure hospital
The father of a woman who was bashed with a tree branch for 50 minutes before her body was covered in leaves and sticks says there is no ‘justice’ for her.
The father of a slain Melbourne woman said there was “no justice” for his daughter after her killer was ordered to spend 25 years in a secure psychiatric hospital.
Henry Hammond was in the grips of a schizophrenic delusion when he bludgeoned Courtney Herron to death at Melbourne’s Royal Park in May 2019.
The 28-year-old killer was found not guilty of murder by reason of mental impairment last year but found out his fate on Tuesday.
He was ordered by Supreme Court Justice Phillip Priest to spend a nominal 25 years in a secure psychiatric facility.
But Ms Herron’s father John spoke outside court and said victims came second in the process.
“The victims come second place and a poor distant last is my daughter, so there’s no justice for her,” Mr Herron said after the order was handed down.
His daughter had some difficulties in her life but was described as an intelligent young woman who was previously a trainee at the Department of Health.
Mr Herron said in a mental impairment case, victims weren’t able to write statements about the impact of the crime.
“Our voices are not considered whatsoever,” he said.
He also feared his daughter’s killer could be released early if he applied for a review of the custodial order.
“A judge … will say nominal 25 years but the operative word there is nominal and it’s completely meaningless,” he said outside court.
In an emailed statement, an Office of Public Prosecutions spokeswoman explained why Hammond was dealt with under the Crimes Mental Impairment regime.
“All of the medical evidence established that his actions at the time of the offence were completely driven by his underlying psychotic beliefs and that he would have been unable to reason with a moderate degree of sense and composure that his conduct in attacking Courtney was wrong,” she said.
“The court was required by legislation to fix a nominal term of 25 years, but this is not the term of the order. The order imposed has no end date.
“He does not receive a prior conviction but the finding is recorded by the Supreme Court and will be relevant in any future criminal proceeding or proceeding pursuant to the Crimes Mental Impairment Act.
“He remains under the supervision of the Supreme Court.”
Hammond was due to be sent to the secure Thomas Embling Hospital under a custodial supervision in September last year.
But it was revealed a lack of beds at the secure mental health facility meant Hammond had to remain in prison.
The “lamentable state of affairs” forced the judge to adjourn the matter until a bed became available.
Hammond believed Ms Herron, 25, had hurt him in a past life and was not who she claimed to be but was “someone else … like a spirit”.
The pair met hours before the brutal attack when Hammond approached Ms Herron for a cigarette in Melbourne’s CBD.
The young woman had even paid for her killer’s dinner at Veggie Bar before they smoked ice at her friend’s house.
Footage of the pair at the restaurant showed they had “friendly banter and conversation”.
Hammond’s defence lawyer Tim Schocker asked for a review period to be set down in the next three to five years.
“It’s difficult for someone in Mr Hammond’s position to have the resources or the understanding to enliven a review of his own accord,” Mr Schocker said.
However, the judge knocked back the review request and said he didn’t see any reason to do that.
“I can’t see things changing before I retire,” Justice Priest said.
But Mr Herron feared his daughter’s killer could apply to be released early.
Read related topics:Melbourne