Grace Millane's murderer appealing conviction and 17-year minimum jail sentence

By Sam Hurley

NZ Herald Print Editor·NZ Herald·

17 Mar, 2020 10:32 PM3 mins to read

NOW PLAYING • Focus: Grace Millane's family read their victim impact statements

Focus: Grace Millane's family read their victim impact statements. Video / Chris Tarpey ...

Grace Millane's killer is to appeal his conviction and prison sentence.

A date is yet to be set for a hearing in the Court of Appeal.

The murderer's lawyer, Ian Brookie, told the Herald that Rachael Reed QC will advocate for the 28-year-old man at the appeal stage.

"Sometimes trial lawyers consider that it may be helpful for another lawyer to review afresh the trial and sentence process when an appeal is being considered," Brookie said.

"That has been recommended to [my client] and has happened here, with our assistance. The appeals filed will be advanced by that lawyer for this reason."

A Crown Law spokeswoman said they had received notice of an appeal, while a police spokeswoman said it would be inappropriate for police to comment.

Ian Brookie acted for the killer from his first appearance in court through to sentencing. Photo / Michael Craig

The killer was last month sentenced to life in prison with a minimum period of 17 years for murdering the British backpacker.

The man, who still cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted of murder last November for strangling Millane to death in an Auckland hotel room.

Millane, who had been travelling the world, met her killer on dating app Tinder before they shared drinks at a few bars on the eve of her 22nd birthday in December 2018.

CCTV showed the pair appeared to be enjoying each others' company as they returned to his small downtown Auckland apartment.

But the university graduate would never leave the room alive - her body later found dumped in a shallow grave in the Waitākere Ranges.

After hearing from nearly 40 witnesses during the highly charged and emotional trial, the jury's decision was unanimous.

The murderer, who still cannot be named, walks into the dock during his High Court trial in November. Photo / Michael Craig

Millane's mum Gillian at last month's sentencing said her kind and intelligent daughter's dream to travel the world had turned into a nightmare that ripped the family apart.

"She died terrified and alone in a room with you ... all her dreams and aspirations taken," Gillian Millane said in a victim impact statement.

Justice Simon Moore said this was not a case where the strangulation was driven by rage or was premeditated.

But Millane was vulnerable and appeared to be restrained, he said, while the 28-year-old killer's actions in photographing her naked body after the murder were "depraved".

"You were in a position of total physical dominance," the judge told the killer last month.

"You were a stranger, she trusted you."