THE RIVERINA has been rocked by plans by Stephanie Scott’s depraved killer Vincent Stanford to appeal against his life sentence, with predictions of widespread outrage if the appeal succeeds.
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With cruel timing, news of the intention to appeal swept through the community of Wednesday as Leeton in particular was trying to come to grips with the shock death of Miss Scott’s father, Robert, in a Canowindra farming accident on Tuesday.
Stanford on October 13 was jailed for life for raping and murdering Miss Scott, a popular Leeton High School teacher and bride to be, on Easter Sunday last year.
In rejecting the possibility of parole, Justice Robert Hulme said in his sentencing remarks that Stanford was a very disturbed individual who would for a considerable time represent a serious danger to the community.
“I am satisfied beyond any doubt that the offender’s culpability is so extreme that the community interest in retribution, punishment, community protection and deterrence can be met with only one response,” Justice Hulme said.
Just two weeks after that damning assessment, Stanford lodged a notice of intention to appeal against his sentence in the Court of Criminal Appeal.
He has until April 27 to lodge the appeal.
Stanford’s legal move angered Mark Norvall, creator of the Real Justice for Stephanie Scott Facebook page.
Mr Norvall thought the Court of Criminal Appeal (CCA) had the right to refuse even the notice of intention to appeal, and he called on it to do so.
“If they kick it out and say out were dealt with properly the first time people will be happy with that,” Mr Norvall said.
“But if they give him the right to appeal there will be hell in the land.
“There is just going to be disbelief in the community even though it is only a notice of intention to appeal.
“He is completely undeserving, and as Justice Hulme said his crimes were at the top of the heinous scale, and with the life sentence he got less than what he deserved.”
A spokeswoman for the NSW Supreme Court said it would be extremely rare for the CCA Registrar to reject a notice of intention to appeal.
“They can even be lodged ‘out of time’ and are not necessarily rejected if the applicant can make out reasons why leave should still be granted.
“In this case, Stanford’s notice has been filed within the required time frame.”
Leeton mayor Paul Maytom said news of the appeal was “just terrible timing”.
It's another blow to the family that is already dealing with something unimaginable in recent days on top of everything else they have been through,” Councillor Maytom said.
“If an appeal was to be granted, I don't know how the family would be able to handle it.
“Bob was such a pillar of support.
“It's all very horrific.
“I would hope an appeal isn't granted so that is one less thing they have to go through.
“If an appeal was granted, I know the community would certainly be outraged, and rightly so.
“It's all just so devastating and I hope that is recognised by the Court of Appeal if he does lodge an appeal.
“I would hope they take it all into consideration and know this family has already had to suffer so much without going through this.
Jennie Hill is the administrator of the Yellow Balloon Facebook page that was started to remember Stephanie Scott and now advocates against violence towards women.
“We understand this isn't an appeal as yet and it's something he (Vincent) has the right to do,” Ms Hill said.
“I think it would be appalling if an appeal was granted and if there were to be any reduction in his sentence.
It would be especially appalling for the family in light of the passing of Steph's dad.
“Like many others I have watched the interviews of Vincent with the police.
“He knew what he was doing.
“It would be shocking for an appeal to be granted.
“I think Australia would certainly be outraged and rightly so.
“It doesn't have anything to do with being guilty or not.
“We know he is.
“I just don't see how this man could ever be safe around others.”
In her sentencing submission, Stanford’s lawyer, Janet Manuell, said the combined effect of four features justified a life sentence not being imposed.
They were that Stanford was suffering from autism spectrum disorder, he was only 24 with a balance of life expectancy of 58 years, he took responsibility for his conduct and he had no criminal record.
A GoFundMe account has been created to raise money for the Scott family.
“After the loss of Stephanie, and now the tragic loss of her father I have set up this gofundme in the hope that we can at least ease some financial burden from a family that has been through so much in a short amount of time,” the creator of the page, Cade Wardman, of Wagga, says on the website.
“Please share whatever you can and let's get behind this family and let them know that we are all behind them.”
As of 3pm Wednesday, the $5000 appeal target had reached $1000.