Lesley Martin decides to appeal

By JAMES GARDINER

Jailed euthanasia advocate Lesley Martin is to appeal against her conviction and 15-month sentence but will not seek bail.

Martin, 40, of New Plymouth, was found guilty in March of attempting to murder her dying mother, Joy, in Wanganui five years ago. She was convicted and sentenced last Friday and is being held in Wellington's Arohata Women's Prison.

Her lawyer, Dr Donald Stevens, QC, said yesterday that he would file an appeal with the Court of Appeal in the next few days. He said he would argue that the guilty verdict was wrong and the sentence excessive and wrong in principle.

He said Martin had decided not to seek bail because it would cause more distress to her family if the appeal was dismissed and she had to go back to prison.

Despite calls from her husband, brother and supporters to seek home detention, Martin had not changed her position. On the day before the sentencing she said: "I refuse to have my home be my prison."