Moko appeal

So Moko was a naughty boy and by inference brought it on himself, did he (‘‘Appeal: Moko, 3, was ‘badly behaved’’, News, July 24).

Now that the true extent of his injuries has been made public, does anyone in their right mind believe that the two sadistic miscreants deserve anything less than they got?

On the contrary, they have literally already got away with murder.

What Moko suffered doesn’t bear thinking about. A 3-year-old. That poor little boy never even had a chance. John Leith, Oakura Contrary to the July 24 editorial (‘‘Moko, 3, did not provoke his killer’’), the last successful use of this defence was in November 2010.

The case involved a complex family tragedy played out by decent people confronted by circumstances well beyond their control. In my view at least the integrity of the jury system was enhanced by the result.

I understand the feelings other cases may generate. For my part, abolition of the defence also removed an opportunity for the justice system to show humanity in rare cases where defendants are also victims. Stephen Winter, Palmerston North