Australia: Outrage over killer's rights

Victorians have branded the justice system that lets the brutal killer of great-grandmother Marie Greening Zidan roam Melbourne's streets under a shield of anonymity a disgrace. The Herald Sun has tracked down the 21-year-old, who was released on parole just before Christmas after serving little more than six years' jail for bashing, sexually assaulting and choking the 73-year-old in 2000. Most of his time was served in youth detention as he was 15 and his friend 16 when they attacked Mrs Zidan in her Seaford home while her intellectually disabled son Peter lay terrified in another room.

The killer's identity and new address cannot be made public without court permission because of his age at the time of his offence. The law bans naming offenders under 18 without special permission from the Children's Court. It has never been granted in a serious criminal case.

News that one of the killers was enjoying his freedom sparked outrage from Herald Sun readers. Most anger was directed at a justice system many described as disgraceful and out of touch. "You have to wonder if the lawmakers/ministers would have the same level of disregard if the victim was their mother or grandmother," wrote Andrew of Seaford.

Leya Baykiz said she wanted to know where the man was living because she was afraid for her young daughter. Mark Ryan of Melbourne said: "Name and shame, as well as apply some type of justice. It places such a poor and unacceptable value on Mrs Zidan's life."

The State Government refused to respond yesterday, but the State Opposition called for the right of young offenders to anonymity to be scrapped. Acting shadow attorney-general Andrew McIntosh said the onus should be on children accused of homicide or rape to convince a judge their case and identity should not be openly reported, not the other way around. "It's about the community having confidence in the criminal justice system," he said.

The courts have refused bids by the Herald Sun to lift the order protecting the man's identity now that he is an adult. Mrs Zidan's family have long campaigned for the cruel duo to be publicly identified in the interests of protecting the public. They were charged with murder but struck a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Neither has admitted who killed Mrs Zidan and sources within the juvenile system have told the Herald Sun they have shown no remorse for taking her life in order to steal just $10 in loose change. They were both jailed for nine years with a minimum of six. The one still in jail has also applied for parole but is yet to be freed

Report here


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