The sentencing range for attempted murder in Queensland remains 10-17 years as identified in R v Reeves. A notional head sentence of 14 years is within range where the offence involves use of a firearm in a crowded public place, wounding of an innocent bystander, and the offender sought out the confrontation and used grossly disproportionate force while the victim was retreating. A direction on the defence of mistake under s 24 of the Criminal Code (Qld) is not required where there is no evidentiary basis for an honest and reasonable but mistaken belief.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 2 later cases that cite this judgment.