Fri 9 Oct 2009 In: International News View at Wayback View at NDHA
A man defending himself against a murder charge in Queensland says he should be acquitted because anger resulting from childhood sexual abuse made him lash out when a disabled man made a pass at him. Justice Peter Applegarth in the Supreme Court in Brisbane allowed accused man Jason Andrew Pierce's 'defence of provocation' to go before the jury, reports the Courier Mail. Pearce, 38, who told police he was molested as a child, was touched on the groin and verbally propositioned by a 45-year-old man. He admitted that he then punched and kicked him, yelling "I'm sick of you c--ts, you've f--ked up my life up." The jury is now out, and must consider whether or not Pearce intended to kill, and whether 'a reasonable person' would have lost control under similar circumstances. The jury can conclude that Pearce is guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter, not murder.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Friday, 9th October 2009 - 11:12am