The man who killed Grace Millane has lost his bid to have his conviction and sentence overturned.
At an August hearing, the man s lawyer Rachael Reed QC laid out several concerns with the November trial, including about how the jury was able to deal with the question of consent when considering their verdict, if jurors were given balanced direction about expert evidence and how to weigh this up, and how evidence from other women about the man was handled.
Reed also questioned the trial judge s finding that Millane was particularly vulnerable and that the killing had a high degree of callousness, two factors that became important in his sentencing.
The Tinder date who strangled British backpacker Grace Millane during sex has failed in his last-ditch bid for freedom.
He was jailed for life with a non-parole period of 17 years for murdering Ms Millane in his Auckland apartment in December 2018.
But despite having no more options to avoid life in prison, the 28-year-old still cannot be named due to a court ruling in New Zealand.
The vile killer s lawyers managed to keep his name secret by appealing to the Supreme Court on Friday morning, hours before the appeal verdict.
British backpacker Grace Millane, left, was strangled to death after meeting her killer via Tinder on December 1, 2018 – the day before her 22nd birthday
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Press Release – New Zealand Police
The following is a statement from the family of Grace Millane:
We are pleased at the outcome that has been reached today and would like to take this opportunity once again to thank:
Justice Stephen Kos, Justice Patricia Courtney and Justice Mark Cooper; The Crown prosecution team Brian Dickey and Robin McCoubrey; Auckland City District Police, especially Detective inspector Scott Beard, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Brand, Detective Sergeant Tony McKenzie and Detective Toni Jordan for their hard work, dedication and unflinching support.
We would also like to thank the people of New Zealand for the love and support they have shown to Grace and our family over the last two years.
Press Release – New Zealand Police The following is a statement from the family of Grace Millane: We are pleased at the outcome that has been reached today and would like to take this opportunity once again to thank: Justice Stephen Kos, Justice Patricia Courtney and Justice Mark Cooper; …
The following is a statement from the family of Grace Millane:
We are pleased at the outcome that has been reached today and would like to take this opportunity once again to thank:
Justice Stephen Kos, Justice Patricia Courtney and Justice Mark Cooper; The Crown prosecution team Brian Dickey and Robin McCoubrey; Auckland City District Police, especially Detective inspector Scott Beard, Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Brand, Detective Sergeant Tony McKenzie and Detective Toni Jordan for their hard work, dedication and unflinching support.