AUSTRALIA'S JUDICIAL SYSTEMS IS A JOKE
Posted: Thu Dec 11, 2003 8:24 am
Man sentenced 11 years for baby's death
A NSW man will spend at least eight years behind bars for killing his then-girlfriend's baby.
NSW Supreme Court Acting Justice Jeffrey Miles sentenced Christopher Hoerler, of Wagga Wagga, to 11 years jail with a non-parole period of eight years and three months for the manslaughter of Jordan Anderson.
Seven-month-old Jordan was killed in the home Hoerler shared with the child's mother at Wagga Wagga, in the state's south, on February 25, 2000.
Jordan died from multiple injuries including liver and bowel damage, bruises and abrasions to his face, a torn lip and crushed toes.
Hoerler, 26, originally pleaded not guilty to murdering the infant, but offered to plead guilty to manslaughter after the Crown completed its case in his murder trial in July this year.
Justice Miles said he did not believe Hoerler's claim that he only hit baby Jordan with an open hand, at the instruction of the child's mother Louise Anderson.
"I conclude, and am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt, that the extent of the child's injuries was much greater than what could have been caused by striking the head twice with an open hand," he said.
"Overall, there must have been several and not only two blows."
Justice Miles said he accepted evidence from paediatric surgeon Dr Bruce Currie that Jordan died from choking on his own vomit, which was caused by the bashing injuries.
Outside the court Jordan's uncle, Darcy Smith, said the family was extremely disappointed with the sentence.
"Today I feel is just a very dark day for justice in Australia," Mr Smith said.
A NSW man will spend at least eight years behind bars for killing his then-girlfriend's baby.
NSW Supreme Court Acting Justice Jeffrey Miles sentenced Christopher Hoerler, of Wagga Wagga, to 11 years jail with a non-parole period of eight years and three months for the manslaughter of Jordan Anderson.
Seven-month-old Jordan was killed in the home Hoerler shared with the child's mother at Wagga Wagga, in the state's south, on February 25, 2000.
Jordan died from multiple injuries including liver and bowel damage, bruises and abrasions to his face, a torn lip and crushed toes.
Hoerler, 26, originally pleaded not guilty to murdering the infant, but offered to plead guilty to manslaughter after the Crown completed its case in his murder trial in July this year.
Justice Miles said he did not believe Hoerler's claim that he only hit baby Jordan with an open hand, at the instruction of the child's mother Louise Anderson.
"I conclude, and am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt, that the extent of the child's injuries was much greater than what could have been caused by striking the head twice with an open hand," he said.
"Overall, there must have been several and not only two blows."
Justice Miles said he accepted evidence from paediatric surgeon Dr Bruce Currie that Jordan died from choking on his own vomit, which was caused by the bashing injuries.
Outside the court Jordan's uncle, Darcy Smith, said the family was extremely disappointed with the sentence.
"Today I feel is just a very dark day for justice in Australia," Mr Smith said.
