Wednesday, September 15, 2004
But just before I go...
For some strange reason My Right found Wellington-based "human rights lawyer" (read - any punks Mr 10%) Tony Ellis's mad dash to lodge 18 more claims for Prisoner compensation more than a tad opportunistic. A quick google, and My Right quickly discovered that this was small fry against previous ventures into the realm of "win one, lodge a bundle" compensation battles for Tony Ten Percent.
This from the Wairarapa Times Age, Friday, 26 April 2002:
Smith was found guilty of murdering a man in Johnsonville on December 11, 1995, and of sexual offences against the man’s son. Smith, then 22, was sentenced in August 1996 to life imprisonment and ordered to serve at least 13 years before being considered for parole.In fairness, he may have a case in law. But My Right is often unfair and would have to declare this an unprincipled cash and carry case.
Wellington lawyer Tony Ellis is taking Smith’s case back to the Court of Appeal as a test case for about 1500 convicted criminals who were refused legal aid for appeals.
Last month the Privy Council in London overturned the convictions of 12 New Zealanders who it said didn’t get a fair appeal after they were refused legal aid. The 12 included two convicted murderers, two convicted rapists and two convicted robbers.
I give it an hour before someone informs me that he is doing it pro bono!
