Crown asks for life sentence for woman who strangled her granddaughter stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Van Hemert pleaded guilty after a sentencing indication, so he knew he would not receive life imprisonment. If that was changed as a result of the appeal, van Hemert should have the chance to reconsider his guilty plea, the Court of Appeal was told on Thursday. Although mentally unwell at the time of the killing, it was not to an extent that he was legally insane, and did not know the nature and quality of his actions. Crown lawyer Mark Lillico said in the Court of Appeal that while the mental health factors loomed large in the case, van Hemert had told police he “saw red”, indicating anger.