Murder conviction quashed by court
PA Wellington Dean Wickliffe has won his appeal against a conviction for murdering a Wellington jeweller, Paul Andre Meit, 14 years ago. The Court of Appeal yesterday quashed the murder conviction and entered a conviction of manslaughter against Wickcliffe. But the Court made no change to the original sentence of life imprisonment. However, President Sir Robin Cooke, in delivering the judgment of a Full Bench of the Court said that it was not a matter of punishing Wickliffe further and that his release should be at as early a
date as practicable. “It is a matter of doing what the Court can to ensure that the hoped for transition to normal life and employment is accomplished without avoidable risk. And that a stable life follows,” he said.
“Having regard to that obligation on the Court, and keeping in the forefront the gravity of the crime, we leave the life sentence standing.” Sir Robin said that it would be irresponsible for the Court simply to direct Wickliffe’s immediate release. The Court was sure it would be against the interest of the public.
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Press, 24 December 1986, Page 3
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186Murder conviction quashed by court Press, 24 December 1986, Page 3
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