KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Lindsay
As long as the statement pertains to how they feel about the crime and the offender, it should be permitted. However if it is taking sideswipes are other things that are not part of that issue, they should not be permitted. No one else other than the offender has any right of reply here, and it would defeat natural justice if the victim(s) could use it to raise other issues.
Robert (Auckland)
This is political correctness gone mad. Unless the victim statement is itself criminal - e.g. if it includes threats of violence - the victim should be entitled to say exactly what he likes. Having one's mother murdered and left with her underwear down is about as degrading as can be imagined. What comment could be over the top in this case? The mind boggles. In the current case, if Kevin McNeil is not allowed to say what he wants he should say, "I am not saying anything because I have been censored." And he should publish his full statement on the internet. New Zealand needs a bit of government for the people by of the people, by the people instead of this nonsense. Sometimes the police can be too big for their boots. Anyone remember Clint Rickard?
Kevin (Brisbane)
I feel that far too much help and support is given to criminals. This murderer should like all murderers should be put to death or work on a chain gang on bread and water for the term of their natural life. I am talking about 100 per cent proof with DNA as well.I include death of anyone whilst committing a crime,premeditated killing.I do not include a person killed in a fist fight banging his head on the pavement. All knifings are premeditated as it is a crime to carry them in public.
Gayle Bennett
The Justice system is long overdue for a shakeup. The amount of times when the actual truth of the court proceedings is distorted or not be allowed to be presented is making the judicial system a bit of a farce. This is when people should go to the media & have their feelings put out into the public arena, because I believe the victim just wants to be heard.The Judge is supposed to be an intelligent person, who would be able to determine what a victim of a crime wants to say, put it into context, & still be able to make up his own mind as to the sentence the criminal should receive, & hopefully, to the full extent of the law. After all, the Judge is supposed to be impartial, & be able to perform sensible sentencing. That is his job. If there is a Jury, the Judge still directs the Jury & gives the sentence. Maybe if the criminal actually hears what devastation has been caused by the crime, it might be the starting point of some redemption for them. But then on the other hand, most of the crims in the dock think killing is a sport & will never understand that they have committed a crime.
Sally Narbey
Why? Isn't this the sole purpose of allowing victims and their families to express to the accused how they feel over the situation? This man has lost his mother in a brutal attack. Why should he make the accused feel better by toning down his justifiably angry and upset comments? Let him go for it.
Rachel (Tauranga)
Then what's the point, if the victims family cant express their feelings to a shameless murderer? The murderer got to express all he wanted.
John Robb
Kevin McNeil should be able to tell this killer exactly what he thinks, no holds barred whatsoever.
Panda
If I was in his place I would do the same thing. He has a right to do whatever he wants, it is his feelings and no one's else, victim support should not interfere. They are not the victim and they don't have the feeling that this person has.
Delenn
This really annoys me! What on earth is the point of the victim having their say if they aren't allowed to express what they need to? Do the courts just want to look good for the public? If the courts (or whoever) are going to control the content of victim impact statements, then it is seems like its only a token effort to help the victim. If the courts are not prepared to hear a victims thoughts and feelings in full, then why allow them to say anything in the first place. Fancy not being allowed to criticise the system or the individual. I totally agree with Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Garth McVicar: "It's undermining the whole evolution of victims' rights". Kevin McNeil and family have suffered a huge loss, not to mention the terrible fate his mother suffered. Why shouldn't he be allowed to tell the court and his mothers murderer exactly what he thinks? It is ridiculous. I'll be looking out for Kevin McNeil's statement in the Herald, I guess its more acceptable to be criticised in the media.
Elle Jo
Absolute rubbish. The whole point of a "victims statement" is to express the feelings of the "victim." Not what the court deem appropriate for the victim to feel and/or think with respect to the crime and the offender. Everyone in the government and courts seem to be far too concerned with being pc than doing their job or having an intelligent discussion or opinion because it might offend or upset someone. We need to get tough on criminals, not just tougher or there will be absolutely not incentive not to offend or reoffend.
Levin (Horowhenua)
What is the point of a 'victim impact report' if the victim cannot express what he truly feels - what this has done to him? It is so that the 'doer' can, perhaps, understand the extent of the damage/anger/hurt/grief he has caused to the victim. It may express hatred and that is ugly, but that is what the crime has caused and speaks about the state in which the victim finds himself even though this may not be pretty. We don't all have to 'forgive'. In this case, I don't believe I would. Let the criminal feel the blast - that's if he has any feelings. He didn't when he did the crime.
Toni
Yes we should be able to read it out. Its the truth and its how we feel. It should not be altered no matter what.
Bruce Wigglesworth
After reading your story regarding Kevin Mcneil I feel so sorry for the man and his family. He has been to places emotionally that we as human beings should not have to go. He has every right to vent his anger and frustrations to the "animal" that has done this to his amazing mother. I like all New Zealanders, am constantly sick and tired of us being so P.C. He is a victim, his family are victims and his mums friends are victims. The "animal" is not a victim! To lose your mother or any family member or friend in such a way would be indescribable. Why should we as tax paying people have to pay for this "animal" to live in a prison, where he will get 3 meals a day, clothed, and a comfy bed. I have family members who are sick and dying of cancer, who have paid their taxes all their life and the government doesnt help them! This country, my country has to wake up and stop being so P.C. I dont know Kevin Mcneil, but he is a very strong and contained man. I think he should be let to vent his anger. Personally I think it shouldn't be in a letter. I would hate to think what I would do, so maybe its better the "animal" does get locked away, for good. And good luck to him if he gets released. Kevin Mcneil, you have my support and good luck with your speech.
Peter F (Brisbane Aust)
What a gross insult to a victim's family not able to express their true feelings towards a cold-blooded killer who deserves nothing from the system.
Max
This has got to be one of the saddest articles I've read - who dreams up these soul-destroying "processes" anyway? If you're letting someone make a statement, let them make it, not some shadowy politically correct lawyer. If a convicted criminal treats someone with all the respect of a piece of meat in their crime, they should equally openly be compared to offal themselves. Pussy-footing around the feelings of victims doesn't strengthen society - it shows society doesn't honour the victim, it honours the criminals rights to hold a fantasy view that nothing they do affects anyone else, and or they're "top dog". Despicable, and stupid too.
Don
Good on him for standing up to the "BS" pc correct brigade!
Richard McGrath
Of course the victim should express feelings fully. The criminal should know clearly how his victims feel.
TC
Silly me, here I was thinking that we lived in country with free speech, but no, the low lifes have more rights than the victim. What is happening to this country? The PC brigade have a lot to answer for.
Tania
Kevin, if you read through these, I believe that you say what you have to say. You and your family have been through enough without having to be told by do gooders that it is not appropriate. I am sure that they still have their family members with them, and have not had to go through what you have. The low life that took your mothers life, in my mind, no longer has any rights, and needs to hear face to face exactly what it is that he has done. Period! New Zealand needs to stop pussy footing around with these criminals, they committed a crime, take them out of society and throw away the key.
Wytch (Auckland)
Writing a Victim Impact Statement is traumatic in itself. Why shouldn't a person say exactly how they feel about events? Asking people to rewrite things so that they're more palatable for general consumption is akin to demeaning that Victims perception of the experience. It's almost like letting the criminal triumph over them all over again. Most uncool.
Eric
The very name "Victim Impact Report" denotes a report produced by the victim - the idea that a victim should sanitise or lessen the anger they feel by the event which precipitated the report, is absolutely insulting. The people whom suggest this are probably the same civil libertarians whom are advocates for offenders rights - there should be a list drawn up and published of all the above libertarians so that when those poor, uneducated, under privileged criminals want to spew their violence and filth on someone, they'll know whose home to invade, or whose car to steal or any of the other myriad of crimes they commit - because these people understand, these people realise it's not the criminals fault. How quickly their attitudes will change, or, if it doesn't, at least the crimes will be committed against people whom don't mind.
Sam
He should be allowed to say whatever he wants to the murderer of his mother. If someone killed my mother, I would want to be allowed that same right to freedom of speech to the murderer. I believe that it is totally inappropriate for them to vet his comments.
Chris
Mr Dear deserves the right to say what he wants to. The justice system should focus on the victims' rights and the rights of the victims family rather than the criminal's rights and feelings. We the taxpayers of this country ask so. Please do not ignore the wishes of the majority of the people, which is what is happening right now in this country. We want Mr. Dear to be free to say what he wants to. I am sure there is no one who will disagree with me on this.
LV
Again another case of New Zealand's stupid political correct bollocks . Whetu Te Hiko deserves no consideration or compassion at all. He murdered a kind gentle caring human being who spent her life helping others.. Why in this country are we so soft towards murders and other criminals? How insulting to Kevin Mc Neal to ask him to tone down the impact statement. In my opinion Whetu Te Hiko lost any rights he had the moment he brutally murdered Lois Dear. He deserves no compassion or sympathy.
Jason
People can say what they like, the system protects the murderers, and hastles and pokes sticks at the victims - simply disgusting. However and whatever is written in this final statement by the son of a great woman who had a horrid death, should be read as it is written and however it is written. This is not to make anyone feel better, it is not to help people or to make the court see things from a different perspective, it is a final account and expression by those involved and those who hurt beyond words. The court system has absolutely no say in this matter. Let the family walk their own path however they feel is appropriate for them. Expression however it comes is important. Let it all be read the way it was written. Let the disgusting murderer hear the words, it is a type of judgement that will reverberate forever in the criminals heart - it will also help to rehabilitate him. The systems washed version will be useless. Good luck mate, everyone supports you.
Kris
So now we have to be nice to convicted criminals and we aren't allowed to criticise the system that lets this scum commit crimes with little or no consequences for their actions?I think that they had more freedom in Communist Russia than we have today in 'Democratic' New Zealand.
Bub
Another way he could put it is, "I hope that justice is on my dear mothers side and karma prevails". I can understand what the authorities are saying to him but he can make the same comment in a different way. I personally would want to kill him, but he can't write that!
Vic
Victims should be able to say whatever they like in their statement. There should be no censorship of their comments at all. What is the problem? Is the justice system worried that the convicted criminal will be emotionally scarred by what is said to them? ...or that the failings of the entire system for victims will be eloquently exposed?
Jacqui
This is a man who having taken two days off work to express his thoughts and feelings and in doing so being taken back to such a terrible time, is now being told to change his thoughts, we often hold back and direct our feelings in the wrong way. He is finally being put in a room with the person that killed his mum. If there was ever a more appropriate time to say anything he wanted to say this is it. Let him speak.
Tony (Waiuku)
That is the biggest crock I have ever heard. Whetu Te Hiko deserves no remorse for what he has done. Keith should be allowed to say whatever he wants to him. The guy killed his mother for crying out loud.
\Nettie
I'm often criticised for being blunt, in other words honest. I'm not a vicious or vindictive person but follow a basic Christian principle of treating others as I would expect to be treated myself. In this case, the truth will hurt and should. The accused needs to feel the impact of his actions and if Kevin McNeil's victim impact report is blunt then that's just tough. Softening the blow by doctoring his report is doing the accused no favours at all and if we're supposed to be a nation that wants to rehabilitate criminals then honesty is the only way to go. No pain, no gain!
Wendy Pedler
The only input a victim has regarding the court process is their victim impact statement and they should be allowed to say in their own words how they feel(providing it does not relate to criminal intent). The victim is not entitled to legal representation to defend and protect their rights through the Court process. Unless a victim can express their feelings and feel as though their voice has been heard and give them some since of control back in their lives they cannot move on. Congratulations to Kevin McNeil who is an incredibly strong man and is speaking out for all the other victims who cannot do what he is doing.
Blue Thames
What's going on? Why the softly softly? It was a Mum that was killed with no dignity did she or her family get the softly approach? Where is the freedom of speech? What has gone wrong with this country and the law?
Richard
Good on him and good Luck to him. He stands up for the victims.
Stan
es, read what this man wrote. He has this right.It is ridiculous how is killer is protected by the law in New Zealand - more then the victim(s)!
Fred
I have had the displeasure of providing a VIS in court, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. There are clear guidelines, and if you work within those guidelines you can pretty much say what you like. I guess that while I had plenty of things to say about the scumbag in question, I focused my statement on those issues that I could see looming in court arguments, and that probably removed the vitriol from my statement.We were told to drop the emotion in delivering them by the judges, but the crown told us that the reality was it is an emotional thing and to just read them out as best you can. I have never shaken so much in my life. Without seeing his VIS it is hard to know what is upsetting the crown, but I understand where he is coming from.
Charles
Good on Kevin and likewise I would have done exactly what he is doing. What is the world coming to, when again we are protecting the rights of criminals when the real sufferers of crime are restricted on what we are or not allow to say? Is it simply because law abiding citizens are easier to bully by the government?
Carol (Howick)
Kevin's statement should not be changed to be PC. He should be able to say what he feels. This is political correctness gone too far.
Rusty, Concerned Parent
Is the Victim Impact Statement what the victim writes about how they feel or is what the "system" thinks the victim should write? Is the "system" worried that the criminal may feel aggrieved and apply for compensation? Does the "system" believe that writing and expressing how the victims actually feel does not help anybody? The "system" is obviously not concerned with helping the victims express their grief and anger as part of the healing process. Perhaps the "system" needs to consult with grief counselors as to an appropriate manner to help victims cope. On top of the fact that the victims had no control when they were violated by the criminal the "system" caps the situation off by taking away their control over the grief process as well. Uunwarranted, unfeeling, unsympathetic, and disappointing.
Rosalind, expat Kiwi
I think victims should be free to say whatever they want, expressing themselves "from the heart" without any restrictions. This is their chance to be heard and if they are filled with hate and bitterness towards the criminal, they should be able to express that. Why should they have to pussyfoot around the feelings of someone who had no consideration at all for their feelings?
Dawn Jarman
Lois didn't get a chance, so Kevin and /or Jan should be able to submit their comments regardless. How else can they vent their anger and hurt? This is part of the healing process.
Auckland
I think victims should have every right to express their views no matter how politically incorrect they may seem. The man had his mother slain by a butcher who showed as much callous disregard for this obviously precious individual, as would a rabid dog toward a piece of red meat. This is his chance to have his say, to spew his emotion, to let out a release which should never be asked to be bottled. This is not a pet rabbit who was run over by a strangers car, this is about living victims, as well as the victim. He had a living life ripped away by evil incarnate, which should be seen and recognised in its truest form. All power to him, let him release his words, after all, isn't freedom of speech an individuals right in this country, or are we blinded by so much political correctness that we see only with our eyes wide shut, Kia Kaha to the son, who knows maybe through the darkness some light may emerge, give him his time.
Rick Porteous
Of course the court should read the victims statement.The victim needs to let the convicted party know how they feel and how the crime has affected them, if they choose. It appears, convicted parties have more rights, feelings and protection than the victims of crime these days. This needs to be corrected sooner rather than later, if we are to arrest the downhill slide NZ is experiencing.