Murdered man's family call for legal system change

Faye Bishop and Ron Bishop, the mother and step-father of murdered man Dean Browne. Photo / David Fairey

The parents of a man who bludgeoned to death with a hammer in 2010 have slammed the justice system as "stuffed", and called for more changes to protect victims.

Ron and Faye Bishop, the parents of 38-year-old Dean Browne, who was murdered by members of the Killer Clowns Fiend gang in Wellington, appeared before Parliament's justice and electoral committee today to speak about planned law changes for victims of crime.

The committee is considering the Victims of Crime Reform Bill, which proposes changes to give victims more freedom in court impact statements, and amendments to the information they receive during court proceedings.

Mr Bishop told the committee the court system was "stuffed", and allowed the defence to vilify victims.

"We sat in the High Court for six and a half weeks and watched the antics that go on, and it is 99 times worse than what I ever believed it could be. It's disgusting."

Mr Bishop said he was forced to sit through testimony that crucified his son's reputation, but he could do nothing to protect him.

"They made him out to be someone he was far from, the reporters in the court have to report what was said, so the damage was done," he said.

"I was made out to be Tony Soprano of west Auckland."

The situation was the same for other victims, Mr Bishop said, noting that rape victims in court were often treated in the same way.

The couple welcomed the bill to give greater protection to victims, and suggested several other changes including an overhaul of Victim Support, and annual reviews of judiciaries from outside the legal system.

Mr Bishop also called for all homicide victims to be given the right to a court-appointed legal advocate, who could represent them in any legal appearances for the case.

Labour MP Charles Chauval said one of the problems facing the system was that it recognised two parties, the Crown and the accused.

Dean Browne died after being repeatedly struck over the head with a hammer at his Wellington flat on January 21, 2010. His body was later found dumped in a New Plymouth garage.

Following a trial in the High Court at New Plymouth last year, Mikhail Pandey-Johnson, 23, and Karl Nuku, 19, both members of the Killer Clown Fiends gang, were found guilty of his murder and were sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment without parole.