Whealy J sentenced the offender to 36 years imprisonment with a 26-year non-parole period for the contract murder of her husband, organised for insurance proceeds. The Court declined to impose a life sentence under s 61 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999, finding that while the offence fell not far short of the worst category, the lack of continuing dangerousness to the community and some prospects of rehabilitation meant the community interest in retribution, punishment, protection and deterrence could be met by a determinate sentence. The standard non-parole period of 20 years was exceeded on the basis that the premeditated, planned nature of the killing for financial gain, and the offender's role as organiser and instigator, placed the offence well above the midrange of objective seriousness.
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