KEY POINTS:
Convicted murderer Graeme Burton has been sentenced to a non-parole period of at least 26 years in prison for the murder of one man and the attempted murder of two others while he was being hunted for breaching parole.
This forum debate has now closed. Here is a selection of your views on the topic.
Bill Gray
Graeme Burton is obviously a psychopath, sociopath, suffers from antisocial personality disorder, or whatever other label one wants to give this sort of disorder. The fact that he wanted to be killed by the police is indicator of just how much he suffers from his illness. A mentally healthy person does not want to kill another - well, they may think about it in a moment of anger, but few of them ever actually do it - it would be unconscionable for them to do so. This is why most soldiers are incredibly screwed up after time at war; they've violated the boundaries of humanity and have a hard time living with themselves because of it. Should Graeme Burton be "put down" like a sick animal? No, I don't think that's the answer. They do that in America and it doesn't reduce the crime rate.
Hopefully, psychology and psychiatry will, one day, advance to the point of being able to successfully treat people like Graeme Burton. However, until that day comes, I don't think we have any other option but to remove these people from society, and make sure that they are treated humanely, while they are kept apart from the rest of us.
A lynch mob mentality isn't going to solve this problem. And, in the end, would make us no better than him. In saying all the above, I am in no way trying to dismiss the pain and suffering of the people who lost loved ones as a result of Graeme Burton's actions. However, I am saying that Graeme Burton deserves our compassion and understanding just as much as the families of his victims do.
Thea Boland
Unfortunately, Graham is one of many people whose recidivism was heavily the responsibility of mental health and corrections system that has long failed to work. His initial crimes I feel show that his mental instability was cause for far greater mental health resources, rather than being thrown into a cell, and, after having his primary care needs covered by Corrections, is thrown back into the world to care for himself, something which is impossible for someone with Burton's health. Rehabilitation and mental health care are horrendously lacking, and are not the priorities of our Government, which they should be, although New Zealand is by far not the only county to blame. Burton himself said that, once released, he was not coping, but the failure of mental health and parole to identify this surely cannot be blamed on Burton. I do not seek to condone or vindicate Burton's actions, but I believe all this pain could've been avoided if our probation and parole, mental health and corrections systems were given an entire re-haul, and actually made to work.
Maddy
I think the sentence should have been longer! He took away two lives therefore he should have his life taken away from him. Not by death, thats an easy way out for him. He should suffer the consequences of his actions. He should be in prison for the rest of his life.
Luke
Yes he does every single day of it. I would also like to commend the police persons who shot him in the leg to apprehend Burton. It could have easily gone wrong and if he was shot dead, his victims and their families wouldn't be able to witness justice bought upon him in court. Now he has to suffer and rot in jail as a pathetic cripple, death would have been too easy, at least in some way he will have to suffer a sad lonely life in prison..
Anthony
Actually, here's another thought. If they are to be given these sentences, let's bring back the meaning of hard time! Really make them work, I don't care if they spend 18hrs a day breaking rocks, but make them work for society in some manner, and make so it reminds them of why they are there... they might as well earn their three meals a day, there should also be no TV for them - a newspaper and that's about it, maybe a few books - of selected titles.
Lance
Firstly, anyone who thinks prison is a hotel needs to spend a month in one. Until then, all comment about 3 good meals etc needs to be seen as ill-informed ignorance. Secondly, the Parole Board simply applied the process as per the law. We all know 16 year old boys are, in general, riskier, more dangerous drivers than most. However, when a 16 year old child kills someone in a car crash (while racing for instance) do we want to imprison (what the?) or sue the person that gave him a drivers license - essentially advocating that kid's ability to drive? No, we blame the driver. Do the same in this case. Lastly, has anyone stopped to consider that prison itself may have played a role in reinforcing in Burton's life the concept that you can take whatever you want, whenever you want it. Are we growing Burton's in a prison system that demands violence, deceit, hatred and bitterness - in order to survive? If so, what as a civilised society are we supposed to do about it?
Steve
I agree he should be hung, and as Kent said once his sentence is completed he will be released with no point in life, either he will commit suicide or will kill again to be locked up, this will be another waste of innocent life, he should just be hung and save us our tax money.
Barry
Not long enough.
Dean M
New Zealand's hug a thug mentality provides hope once again for a guy who should never expect to enjoy the privileges of civilized society. This is a guy who shows no remorse in fact his picture online suggests he was elated by the photo op. These Judges should be held accountable for their lenient sentences; they seem to spend more time trying to present themselves as compassionate and understanding than they do protecting the community and sending a stern message that this type of conduct does not fly. Murder has almost become a coming of age status for many young men in NZ who desire to be seen as "staunch", it will only get worse while judges passing off inadequate deterrent sentences
Simon Wright
The victims comments on how they have been affected by Burton says it all! One man lost his son, 2 others were nearly killed, and a man and his daughter attacked! No sentence will affect Burton as he has affected his victims! Petty the officer who shot Burton, didn't aim a little higher! Burton should never had been released from prison in the first place! History speaks for itself I'm afraid!!
Harry
If this was in New York, Burton would still be up in Attica with 20 to go for the first offence. As for the second, well there's a guy who shot a few people down in the village last month then pointed a gun at the cops. He ended up on a slab with 80 holes in him. Burton should consider himself lucky.
Richard Norris
No, he deserves more. How many people do you need to murder in New Zealand before you forfeit your right to ever be admitted back into society. I believe it should be 1. Burton should never see the outside of a prison cell.
Wayne Lincoln
Twenty six years is not enough. This man has clearly demonstrated that he will reoffend and to release him will only invite a repeat of the offence. He should not be released. I am tempted by the death penalty.
Kiwi Lisa
Graeme Burton is such a savage monster that he should be kept locked up forever - with no parole whatsoever. Not because it might eventually make him a better person, because I think Burton will always be a monster. But locked up forever because it will stop him from ever again killing innocent people. And such kind of savage people will kill again, once out in the free. Make no mistake of that.
Simon
I think the police should have shot him in his head and not in his leg. It shows that the NZ police is very well prepared and acting within the laws of police violence. Well done, boys.
Wayne Lau
If you get a malignant tumour you either try to get it cut out or you try to kill it with chemotherapy. You don't just sit around with your fingers crossed hoping for spontaneous remission. Same with a recidivist murderer like Burton. For him there is no chance for rehabilitation. Even if there were he does not deserve another chance. He should be excised from society. Hang him.
Terry Batchelor
It restores my faith in human nature to see so many people of a like mind when comes to Burton's sentence - namely that nothing is too harsh for likes of him. However, I note there is one in every crowd - the "do-gooder" - the dissenter - who wants to place the blame almost anywhere other than where it belongs. Doesn't it strike "Dean" as strange that out of all the persons who have bothered to express an opinion, his is contrary to the rest. Lets face it, for no rhyme or reason some people are just born bad, and all the excuses in the world won't change the fact. Burton has forfeited his right to live in decent society forever. Kill him and leave space on this earth for someone more deserving.
Greg Capper
Most certainly he deserves every minute of 26 years in prison - in Guantanamo Bay Prison.
Richard
To be honest I don't think the sentence means anything. This is a man who has lift a large portion of his life in jail, to spend the next 26 years in there wont really mean much to him. It's a shame really that he is sentenced to 26 years, yet, the system that let him and society down by not helping him on the outside gets away without any sentence.
Tom Chapman
I read the Herald daily on-line from California. I am constantly amazed at the leniency given some of your worst offenders, particularly murderers and child molesters. Why should this man have the hope of ever getting out of prison? Twenty six years is a long time but forever for the two murder victims and their families is much longer. I believe Mr. Burton has forfeited his right to ever be "free" again.
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