58,000 sign 'Christie's law' bail petition

Christie Marceau's mother and father, Tracey and Brian. Photo / NZ Herald

The mother of slain teenager Christie Marceau has presented a petition on tougher bail laws to Parliament with 58,000 signatures.

Tracey Marceau, in tears, told a crowd on Parliament steps that her family faced a 'true life sentence' after the death of her daughter.

She said Christie's alleged killer was already on serious charges which should have sent a signal to the courts.

A group of supporters in turquoise - Christie's favourite colour - said they were overwhelmed by the response to the petition.

National list MP Jackie Blue and the Sensible Sentencing Trust backed the family's campaign for tighter bail laws.

Ms Blue said the Bail Amendment Bill would address some of the group's concerns.
But she was also keen to see a discussion of internal reviews for judges.

Christie died in her North Shore home in November after a violent attack.

Akshay Chand, then 18, has been charged with her murder. He was on bail at the time, and was facing a charge of kidnapping her two months earlier.

Chand will appear in court in November, where he will also face charges of threatening with grievous bodily harm and assault with intent to commit sexual violation.