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Taxpayers have spent more than $ 400,000 in legal fees to help the man who killed Grace Millane defend himself.
The 28-year-old, who now has his name deleted until a new court order is issued, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum probation period of 17 years for the murder of Grace, 21, who was from Essex. , UK.
The graduate of the University of Lincoln in England died sometime between December 1-2, 2018 after having a Tinder date with the man in Auckland’s CBD.
On Friday, Judge Stephen Kos, Judge Patricia Courtney and Judge Mark Cooper dismissed the man’s appeal against his conviction and sentence, saying that his behavior throughout the incident and after Grace’s death was “totally selfish evil.” .
READ MORE:
* Grace Millane: family thanks judges, police and New Zealanders for ‘love and support’
* Grace Millane: Backpacker’s killer loses conviction and sentencing appeal
* Grace Millane – Killer’s latest effort to keep her name a secret
* Grace Millane: Backpacker killer appeals conviction and sentence for murder
* Grace Millane: Backpacker’s killer takes case to Court of Appeal
Stuff Now you can reveal that the man received more than $ 400,000 in legal assistance.
The Ministry of Justice confirmed to Stuff the final cost of free legal aid is $ 406,173.95.
The website of the Ministry of Justice states: “Legal aid is government funding to pay for a lawyer to people who cannot afford one and need one in the interests of justice.
Supplied
Grace Millane was backpacking in New Zealand before she was killed.
“People who receive legal aid may have to reimburse some or all of their legal aid costs. Interest will be charged 6 months after your case is finalized at a rate of 6% per year.
“This interest rate is the same as the government’s capital charge rate, which is set by the Treasury’s public sector discount rate.”
Earlier on Friday, the man successfully made one last attempt to keep his name a secret by appealing to the Supreme Court.
New Zealand media could have published the 28-year-old’s name for the first time.
However, just three and a half hours before the Court of Appeal’s decision was released, the man’s lawyer filed a notice of appeal.
At 10.50 a.m. M., The Supreme Court ordered that the man’s name be deleted until another court order is issued.
At trial, the man had defense attorney Ian Brookie, Ron Mansfield and Claire Farquhar representing him.
Then Rachael Reed QC represented him in the Court of Appeal.
LAWRENCE SMITH / Things
Defense attorney Ian Brookie represented the man at trial.
‘CONSENT IS NOT DEFENSE’
In the decision released Friday, Judge Kos said Judge Moore was not wrong in withdrawing jury consent other than in relation to the homicide.
“The Court also does not find a credible narrative of consent, or an honest belief in consent, established on the evidence.”
At the Court of Appeals in August, the man’s attorney, Rachael Reed QC, said there were four reasons why the trial process had failed.
After Grace’s death, the killer took intimate photos of her body, searched for pornography, and went on a Tinder date with another woman.
He then buried her in a shallow grave in Waitākere Ranges, west of Auckland.
Ryan Anderson / Stuff
Rachael Reed QC (right) represented the man in the Court of Appeal.
In the Court of Appeals ruling, Judge Kos said Judge Moore was correct in finding that Grace was particularly vulnerable at the time of her death.
Judge Kos also said that his subsequent behavior, including his contempt for her, his failure to call for help, Internet searches, taking intimate photos of her and also having another date, showed that the murder was committed to a high degree. of insensitivity.
“We concluded that this behavior is indicative of a degree of totally selfish nastiness throughout the incident and its aftermath.”
