A sentencing judge does not err by declining to find special circumstances where the statutory ratio between head sentence and non-parole period yields a parole period sufficient for reintegration and supervision, even where the offender's age means the sentence is effectively one of life imprisonment. A sentence must reflect the objective seriousness of the offence even where it has the practical effect of imposing a life sentence on an offender of middle to advanced age. The fact that an undiscounted sentence represents the 'high watermark' of sentences imposed for murder does not, of itself, demonstrate manifest excess.
The full text is available to signed-in members, including the 22 later cases that cite this judgment.
6 of the 22 citing cases carry a classified treatment. How each court treated it is available to signed-in members.