3 Aug 2010

Killer's court case a circus, says father

10:01 am on 3 August 2010

The father of murdered teenager Liam Ashley is calling for changes to the legal system after his son's killer was allowed to defend himself in court, in what he calls a circus.

George Baker, 29, is serving 18 years for murdering the teenager in the back of a prison van in 2006.

On Monday, he was convicted of kidnapping, threatening to kill and assault with a weapon arising from a violent incident at Auckland Prison at Paremoremo in August 2009.

Baker defended himself in the trial.

Liam Ashley's father, Ian Ashley, says a convicted killer should not be allowed to use public money to defend himself or be able to cross-examine his own victim.