Woah!

[nicolen]

I was not expecting this.

Sila found guilty.

When it came out yesterday that the jury had reached an impasse, I was sure he'd only get manslaughter.

The judicial system does appear to be working, in spite of the Kahui and Gwaze verdicts.

But it's a complete tragedy for all involved.

Comments

[sixth_light]

I was pleased by this, too. I don't blame the jury for taking a while to reach this verdict - murder does require intent - but I think it was definitely the right one to reach.

I don't know about the Kahui case, though. On the one hand: someone should have been done for it. On the other: the prosecution had to prove that Chris Kahui was guilty beyond all reasonable doubt, and clearly they didn't. I did _not_ like the defense trying to paint the mother as the killer, and I'm appalled that both parents weren't charged with child abuse, but murder...just not enough proof, I think.

[nicolen]

It was the right verdict to reach - I'm sorry, but there's no way he couldn't have known what he was doing when he got in that car and moved forward. If he was trying to get away, why didn't he head back down Manchester St instead of going right through the middle of it.

And what was worse, saying that the 12 month old had the strength to pick up both babies and slam them down with enough strength to cause such severe injuries...

I don't know - the Kahui murder was messed up from day one. The family know exactly who killed those babies and they've protected them from day one. The mother's behaviour was bizarre, but she was apparently on P right through the situation. I'm just so angry that it doesn't appear that those babies died in such a horrible way and it doesn't appear they'll have any kind of justice.