The true ‘Pumpkin’ case injustice
by Bex Appleton
Over the last week and a half the police has been criticised over proceedings in what the media refers to as the “Pumpkin Case”.
Published on the Herald website’s public opinion section, adjectives describing the performance of the New Zealand police include: absolutely atrocious. woeful, pathetic, pitiful, outrageous, alongside comments like someone needs their bottom kicked.
Time should not be wasted on comments like the above or questioning the length of time it took the police to obtain a warrant, conduct a search of Mr. Nai Yin Xue vehicle, and find the body of An An Liu (four days after Qian being found abandoned in Melbourne).
The simple facts are that the warrant issued was related to the abduction of Qian. Judicially, the Police has to follow strict procedures to prevent inadmissible findings when court proceedings begin, this can take time.
The police themselves have admitted fault in how this case has been conducted which will be examined once Mr. Nai Yin Xue is caught and charged.
Instead of focusing on slightly more trivial problems, the true issue and injustice needing examination is how Mr. Nai Yin Xue last year was let off with a warning after a domestic dispute. Court documents state he threw a mobile phone at his wife which missed hitting and injuring his daughter Qian in the head. He then proceeded to punch his wife in the face a few times before holding a kitchen knife at her as he made threats on her life.
This man obviously displayed violent tendencies. Why on earth in June this year at his court appearance was he ordered to come up for sentencing if called upon within one year? Which basically meant he is free unless he offends again within the year.
We are told that domestic violence of any sort is not justifiable. And when those that are being abused don’t leave their abuser, we question their logic. But if we don’t even have a judicial system there to fully support and enforce rules and regiments to protect the abused, how can we expect those abused to take a leap in faith to get out.
The true injustice in this case is not that the Police took longer than most New Zealanders feel acceptable to locate An An Lui’s body. The injustice is that An An Lui lost her life, her daughter Qian lost her mother and father, and that protection was not given to the abused. Plus the fact that Mr. Nai Yin Xue did not receive help to control his violent temper.
It is time to stop casting blame and start implementing actions to help prevent these crimes.