R v Merritt [2004] NSWCCA 19

Reported Decision : 59 NSWLR 557 146 A Crim R 309

New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal

CITATION : R v Merritt [2004] NSWCCA 19 HEARING DATE(S) : 20 November 2003 JUDGMENT DATE : 3 March 2004

JUDGMENT OF : Tobias JA at 1; Wood CJ at CL at 8; Hidden J at 81 DECISION : 1. Leave to appeal against the sentences granted; 2. Sentences below set aside; 3. In lieu thereof, order that; (a) On the first count of murder, relating to Jackson Merritt, the applicant be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for 24 years, to commence on 2 September 2001, and to expire on 1 September 2025, with a non parole period of 18 years, to commence from 2 September 2001 and to expire on 1 September 2019; (b) On the second count of murder relating to Taylah Pringle, the applicant be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for 24 years, to commence on 2 September 2006, and to expire on 1 September 2030, with a non parole period set of 18 years, to commence on 2 September 2006 and to expire on 1 September 2024; (c) On the third count of murder relating to Mikaylah Merritt, the applicant be sentenced to imprisonment for 24 years, to commence on 2 September 2011 and to expire on 1 September 2035, with a non parole period of 17 years, which is similarly to commence on 2 September 2011 and to expire on 1 September 2028.

CATCHWORDS : CRIMINAL LAW - applicant charged with 3 counts of murder - pleas of guilty - 3 sentences of life imprisonment - whether sentences manifestly excessive - whether subjective circumstances enabled or required trial judge to impose lesser sentences - relevant principles concerning the application of s 61(1) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure Act) 1999. Crimes Act 1900 - s 19A, 431B LEGISLATION CITED : Crimes Amendment (Mandatory Life Sentences) Act 1996 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 - s 21, 21A, 22(1), 44, 61, 61(1), 61(3), Criminal Appeal Act 1912 - s 6(3) House v The Queen (1936) 55 CLR 499 Ibbs v The Queen (1987) 163 CLR 447 Olbrich v The Queen (1999) 199 CLR 270 Pearce v The Queen (1998) 194 CLR 610 Regina v Cheatham NSWSC, Grove J, 6 July 2001 Regina v Cheatham [2001] NSWSC 580 R v Cheatham [2002] NSWCCA 360 Regina v Cocking [1999] NSWCCA 311 Regina v Cikos [2001] NSWSC 35 Regina v Fraser [2004] NSWSC 53 Regina v Folbigg [2003] NSWSC 895 Regina v Garforth, Unreported, NSWCCA 23/05/94 Regina v Harris (2000) 50 NSWLR 409 Regina v Hill [2003] NSWCCA 128 Regina v Israil [2002] NSWCCA 255 Regina v Kalajzich (1997) 94 A Crim R 41 Regina v Kelly (1993) 30 NSWLR 64 CASES CITED : Regina v Khouzame [2000] NSWCCA 505 Regina v Miles [2002] NSWCCA 276 Regina v Monroe (2003) 56 NSWLR 652 Regina v Morgan (1993) 70 A Crim R 368 Regina v O'Donoghue (1988) 34 A Crim R 397 Regina v Oliver (1980) 7 A Crim R 174 Regina v Park NSWSC Sperling J, 3 August 2000 Regina v Park [2003] NSWCCA 142 Regina v Penisini [2003] NSWSC 892 Regina v Petrinovic [1999] NSWSC 1131 Regina v Salameh NSWCCA 9 June 1994 Regina v Thomson and Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 Regina v Twala NSWCCA 4 November 1994 Regina v Vachalec [1981] 1 NSWLR 351 Regina v Velevski NSWSC, Dunford J, 26 September 1997 Regina v Visconti [1982] 2 NSWLR 104 Skinner v The Queen (1913) 16 CLR 336 Veen (No. 2) v The Queen (1988) 164 CLR 465 PARTIES : Regina Craig Andrew Merritt FILE NUMBER(S) : CCA 60262/03 COUNSEL : G Smith SC (Crown) T Game SC SOLICITORS : C K Smith (Crown) S E O'Connor