Outrage as killer evades jail

JerryMungo

JerryMungo

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http://www.dispatch.co.za/article.aspx?id=354831
“GAVIN du Mont had his 41st birthday on October 15 2007. It would be (his) last on earth as his life was taken from him two days later. Our family is shattered.”

So starts a letter, which his anguished brother, Michael du Mont, wrote to the Daily Dispatch after his younger brother’s killer, Steven Romer, was told he would not go to jail for the random shooting in Port Elizabeth two years ago.

Romer shot Gavin dead and wrecked the lives of Karen Heuer, 27, and Ernest Janse, 55, who suffered serious injuries.

The families of Romer’s victims were shocked when Judge Chris Jansen sentenced the former East London man to 10 years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years on condition he did not commit the same offence within the period of suspension. He may not leave his residential area.

Jansen also gave Romer a correctional supervision sentence of three years, in which he will have to perform community services for 16 hours a month at the Beacon Bay police station.

Romer was ordered to undergo programmes, including life skills, orientation and individual psychotherapy. He was also ordered to abstain from alcohol and drugs.

Romer, in fact, did not only walk away from a lengthy prison sentence, but has continued his work as a car salesman.

On Saturday morning the Dispatch spoke to him at his workplace, Motorland. He refused to comment.

“I have already told the court that I was sorry for what I did.”

For Michael du Mont, however, it is not so easy to forget.

He and his brother were very close, which is why he will never forget the day he saw his brother’s dead body behind the steering wheel of the car where he had been shot while waiting at a traffic light on his way to pick up his wife, Millie.

“I don’t know what I would do if I saw him,” said Michael. “My mother, Drienie, who lives in Port Elizabeth, pleaded with me not to do anything. She says God will sort it out.

“We were best mates. From small, we were inseparable. Only fond memories of him are left with the people whose hearts he touched.”

Michael said he was utterly appalled by the lenient sentence imposed on Romer.

“And I am just as much frustrated after I was told that this is the final verdict and that we cannot do anything about it. If the State prosecutor does not appeal, that’s it. Done. Justice in this country sucks.”

Their sister, Geraldine Williams who, with their younger brother Anton, also lives in Port Elizabeth, said she was not pleased with the sentence.

“Romer didn’t get what he deserves. Justice was not served.”

Heuer, who was shot in the neck with the bullet exiting through her right jaw, broke down shortly after Jansen passed sentence.

“I can’t tell you how I feel right now. I wanted him to get a jail sentence,” she told The Herald, the Dispatch’s sister newspaper.

She said it would be a long road for her as she still had to go for several procedures, and the surgeries had put her in financial distress.

Romer was arrested after the deadly spree in which he shot indiscriminately at various passersby, as well as a police van, during peak-hour traffic.

Police fired at the car in an attempt to get him to stop.

Evidence of drug abuse by Romer and alcoholism was presented to the court as extenuating circumstances.

“How absurd! Is this not sending out a message to the citizens of this country that it’s okay to kill if you’re on medication?” Michael du Mont asked. — By EDDIE BOTHA
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Prison is a failed institution which should be reserved for the most heinous of crimes. But in this case, it does not seem that the alternative sentencing methods are an apt choice.

Would need more info than this one report, though.
 
I recon you could just knock him off... I don't rekon the goverment would be able to catch you
 
hj2k_x said:
Prison is a failed institution which should be reserved for the most heinous of crimes. But in this case, it does not seem that the alternative sentencing methods are an apt choice.

Would need more info than this one report, though.
Click to expand...

I'd say this qualifies as a heinous crime. Lock the scum up.
 
I can't understand the reasoning behind the punishment?!! Why would he let a killer back on the streets?
 
Wonder what will happen to the brother if he decides to something to the guy?
 
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