‘Hearts of stone with no care and concern for another’s wellbeing, our communities absorbing the emotional cost.
What about morality and ethics, doing the right thing?’
My expectations in our legal system were low but not low enough. Truth and justice are omitted and what is communicated is the words we don’t speak but what passes in a written brief.
I was told by the office of public prosecutions we had a strong case and confidence in the charge of manslaughter up until 4 days ago.
I was warned not to go to the media and protect the integrity of the case which I did.
Where is the integrity of our State justice system?
Led up the garden path until the 11th hour. Consultations with victims left behind to deal with the crushing reality of life without Isla is merely performative.
Only yesterday I was advised by the OPP that they usually don’t give families the length of time afforded to me, as if I was getting special treatment! Words like transparency and laymen’s terms don’t detract from the fact that victims have no rights.
The OPP may not have expressed arrogance to me, but having the audacity to tell me there has been no failure in our legal system smells like entitled privilege to me.
Even the OPP referred to our “legal system” not a justice system…when did that happen?
Privileges are earned by building trust and respect, and come with responsibility.
The OPP only presents hard, unarguable evidence to a jury, which means most evidence never sees the light of day and is omitted from public examination.
This is the gutting display of an apathetic system, which promotes the culture of men getting away with what they can, whilst they can.
The accused are afforded the privilege of entitled rights without any responsibility. The right to silence. Such men have already figured out their defence perhaps before even committing the crime.
This outdated bureaucratic system only rewards early pleas and negotiations that happen behind closed doors.
“To save the State money, free up the courts and spare victims the re-traumatisation of a trial.” Say’s who?!
I pay my taxes and vote and Isla deserves her story to be told. Let the jury decide.
Crime builds, from slowly chipping away at a girls self esteem, to harassment, coercion, grooming, murder.
First it’s a fine, then a higher fine, then community service, then a short prison sentence… if you’re lucky, or is it unlucky?
The very design of our government systems allow the most sacred relationship between mother and child to be weaponised.
We live in a sick, amoral society that does not even have a legal duty of care to one another. You can watch someone die in front of you, not call emergency services, and you are in the clear.
Hearts of stone with no care and concern for another’s wellbeing, our communities absorbing the emotional cost. What about morality and ethics, doing the right thing?
We are only as safe and healthy as the people in our community.
– Justine Spokes, 12th of May, 2026
