Defendant gets a spell in cells
Don’t disrespect Judge Noel Cocurullo’s court, just ask
Appearing at Thames District Court yesterday to face one charge of dangerous driving, Donaldson told the court he didn’t want to see a lawyer, though he was ready to plead.
“Not guilty. I don’t believe I was driving dangerously.”
When Judge Cocurullo said he was having trouble hearing Donaldson things took a sour turn.
“I’ll just speak louder,” he said.
“I can’t hear you,” was Judge Cocurullo’s reply.
He asked Donaldson to sit in the dock to be closer to the microphone, and emphasised the importance of a clear audio record of proceedings given Donaldson’s wish to self represent. Donaldson, however, declined to sit. “You’re in custody. Wilful behaviour disrupting the court,” Judge Cocurullo said before Donaldson was escorted out of the dock.
Tyson Donaldson. Ranea Komene
also got the sharp edge of Judge Cocurullo’s tongue, appearing for sentencing on multiple charges including shoplifting, theft, burglary, breaching community work and contravening a protection order.
As her lawyer sought leave to withdraw - citing “client lawyer relationship breakdown. . . isn’t repairable” - Komene decided to address the court herself.
“Can you stop interrupting lawyers please,” Judge Cocurullo said.
“There’s not a huge amount of rules in my court but when officers of the court are on their feet, don’t interrupt”.
Judge Cocurullo ordered the matter stood down but warned her she would be arrested if she left the court. Getting a new raft - of charges - landed
her day in the dock. Appearing for sentencing on a number of shoplifting charges plus charges of wilful trespass and breaching supervision, Judge Cocurullo noted she had a “big previous conviction list”.
He also asked for a rundown of her shoplifting, which included items valued at $529, $31, $400, $23, $21 and $21 - all from Thames Pak ‘N Save, plus $107.98 from Mitre 10.
He sentenced her to 10 months imprisonment.
Appearing for sentencing on one charge of excess breath alcohol, had tears in her eyes as she approached the dock.
Her lawyer said she had engaged with counselling, though admitted “I don’t have any evidence to support that”.
She also said she wanted to try and
Alisha Daniels Hayley Reriti
secure a residential rehabilitation placement for her client, something Judge Cocurullo agreed with.
“She needs residential rehab,” he said. Judge Cocurullo remanded her on bail ahead of a June 10 reappearance.
appeared for sentencing on charges of driving while suspended, theft, wilful trespass, possession of an offensive weapon and failure to answer District Court.
Newer, more serious charges derailed proceedings however, as his lawyer requested an adjournment.
The new charges also meant Stevens was unavailable.
“Further more serious charges, and he’s currently in custody,” his lawyer said.
“Domestic violence related, common assault, assault on a person in a family relationship and two charges of contravening a protection order.”
Judge Cocurullo bristled at the waste of court time, asking “why can’t I just get him on a screen from Springhill [prison] so I can sentence him?”
“It’s just taking up court time ... We’ve got to do more than just add to this churn.” He stood the matter down.
The issue of court “churn” also arose for the appearance of who entered a guilty plea to breaching community work.
Her lawyer requested a delay in sentencing as “there have been some medical difficulties. . . she believes she could do some light duties”.
Asking for her previous list, Judge Cocurullo said “people should either go to jail or get an EM [electronically monitored]
Maxwell Stevens Cherie Thornley,
sentence in my view”.
He said community work “creates too much churn in the court system”.
He cancelled her community work, convicted and discharged her.
Scheduled to appear to face charges of excess breath alcohol, theft, breach of intensive supervision, failure to answer police bail and failure to answer District Court, no show prompted Judge Cocurullo to issue a warrant for her arrest.
He also addressed prosecuting Sergeant John Taaka on the matter.
“When he’s arrested bail should be opposed.”
Another no-show, and another warrant to arrest, was issued for
Raiti Tanoa’s Lance Taipara Josephine Skinner-Rangi.
She was set to appear to face charges of threatening behaviour, shoplifting, theft, burglary and failure to answer police bail.
The third warrant to arrest was issued for - which Judge Cocurullo said he would “sign immediately”.
He was meant to appear for a judgealone trial on charges of failing to stop and driving while disqualified.
“He didn’t show up at court back in March and we’ve had no contact with him, despite our efforts,” said his lawyer, who also requested he be able to withdraw.
“Called three times, warrant to arrest. I’ll sign it immediately. . . as soon as he’s here he’s to be arrested and placed in a cell,” said Judge Cocurullo.
Sergeant Taaka told the court he had been arrested - just minutes after the warrant was issued - and was now back in court.