The family of Liberty Templeman say that a decision not to review the "lenient" sentence given to her murder is baffling, but they are now trying to move on with their lives.
Crown prosecutor Mike Smith wrote to the Solicitor-General asking for an appeal against the 11 sentence imposed on
16-year-old Theo Kriel, who murdered and indecently assaulted Liberty in Kerikeri in November, 2008.
The application has been considered and no appeal will be lodged.
Liberty's mother, Rebecca Templeman, said yesterday that the family remained confused by "inconsistencies" in Justice Raynor Asher's sentencing notes which they had hoped would be addressed in an appeal.
Not being able to find out why an appeal was declined was "another slap in the face".
Mrs Templeman said that in the longer term, the family hoped to try addressing light sentencing laws in some way but was unsure exactly how to proceed.
"It's not just about Libby. This is about the sentencing laws that need to be lifted. It's not the judicial system because the courts seem to be fine, but it's just the sentencing that is wrong, and this is what we were appealing against."
Mrs Templeman had found comfort in contact from the mother of murdered Dunedin woman Sophie Elliott, who wrote to her in support after Liberty died.
"We can take comfort from one another just knowing that there's no wrong that makes a right and we just try to console each other," she said. "And we compare our daughters because they were quite similar. We take comfort from that, knowing that hopefully their spirits have collided and they're having an absolute ball up there together ... it's just nice to think like that. You have to be positive."
Crown Law spokeswoman Jan Fulstow said yesterday she could not say why an appeal on Kriel's sentence would not be lodged.
"A number of Crown counsel are involved in the opinion on the matter as to whether or not [there will be an appeal] and it is reviewed by other Crown counsel."
