R v Morris [2017] NSWSC 637

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: R v Morris [2017] NSWSC 637 Hearing dates: 18 May 2017 Date of orders: 18 May 2017 Decision date: 18 May 2017 Jurisdiction: Common Law Before: Fagan J Decision: Sentenced for murder to imprisonment for 17 years with a non-parole period of 12 years. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – sentence – murder – single blow to the deceased's throat with a hammer in the course of a struggle – no premeditation – intent to cause grievous bodily harm – where offender showed genuine remorse – where offender's mental illness an operative cause of offending conduct – reduced moral culpability – reduced weight of denunciation and general deterrence – low risk of re-offending – special circumstances – low range of offending Legislation Cited: Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) Crimes (High Risk Offenders) Act 2006 (NSW) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Cases Cited: Aslan v R [2014] NSWCCA 114 Director of Public Prosecutions (Commonwealth) v De La Rosa (2010) 79 NSWLR 1; [2010] NSWCCA 194 R v Elphick [2002] NSW CCA 273 R v Hines (No 3) [2014] NSWSC 1273 R v Neave [2012] NSWSC 229 R v Valiukas [2009] NSWSC 808 R v Joiner [2001] NSWSC 1163 Green v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 462; [2011] HCA 89 Wong v The Queen (2011) 207 CLR 584; [2001] HCA 64 Category: Sentence Parties: Regina (Crown) Meirion Thomas Morris (offender) Representation: Counsel: Ms Kate Ratcliffe (Crown) Mr James Trevallion (offender)