Bailey has already been Tried - Rethinking Crime and Punishment

“We need to ask ourselves the question, why would Bailey want to attend Court” said Kim Workman, Director of Rethinking Crime and Punishment. He was commenting on Baily Kurariki’s non-appearance at the District Court.

“The alleged offence against two reporters of the NZ Herald, has already been heard. The NZ Herald chose to report fully the allegations of two of their staff, and the public have already decided he is guilty. The blogs that followed the report and the “I told you so’ comments from public commentators, have ensured that the public are now fully convinced he is guilty.”

“Not satisfied with telling the nation about the alleged offence, through the power and influence of their employers, the complainants then decided to report the incident to the Police, who pursued a further prosecution in the criminal court”.
“As a result, Bailey Kurariki, and his unwell mother, have been subjected to further harassment by the media.”

“Any rational human being, let alone a confused and angry young man, would in the light of this action, see the result as predetermined. He knew that when he went to Court, he would be hassled by the media entering and leaving the Court. The question he must surely have asked himself is, “Why bother? My fate has been determined by the actions of the media, and the public have already judged the outcome.”

“There is an important issue of fairness in all this. Dos the Herald or any other newspaper for that matter, publish, as a matter of course, details of all allegations made by victims of crimes against offenders? If not, why have they made an exception in this case? Is that fair, impartial and just? “

“Bailey is in a bad place right now. We should consider who will accept the responsibility, should he crack, and do something truly criminal, or act in a way which seriously harms himself or others. Who will take responsibility then? The Herald? The media industry? Those who are more concerned about ensuring he comp[lies with the conditions of his parole, than offering tangible support? Those who invade his privacy and harass him at the doors of the Court? Those who elicit statements from his sick and disoriented mother?”

When that happens, we will need to ask ourselves some very hard questions.

ENDS

© Scoop Media