[Crossposted from Ausfem-polnet]
Date sent: Tue, 09 Feb 1999 21:35:57 +1100
From: jocelynne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
[snip]
* Write to release Heather Osland..
WHY WRITE?
Heather Osland and her children were subjected to 13 years of severe
physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
Heather and her son David, in fear of their lives, were together at the
killing of Frank Osland. Heather Osland was convicted and sentenced to 14
and a half years gaol. Her son David, who struck the fatal blow/s, had a
'hung jury' at the joint trial. he was acquitted at a retrial on the
grounds of self-defence.
This means Heather's conviction and sentence are unjust. If there is no
murder (or unlawful killing) and a jury couldn't make up their mind in the
first trial about whether David did do an unlawful killing, then there is
no murder for Heather Osland to stand convicted. The reasonable doubt about
murder or unlawful killing has to apply equally to Heather Osland, who did
not strike Frank Osland or even hold or get the weapon that killed him.
Heather has exhausted all legal avenues...her appeal to the High Court
was dismissed by a three to two judge decision...she is still in prison.
Support her plea for a petition of mercy which, if granted, would see her
released from prison. To support Heather's release write to the Victorian
Attorney General.
WHERE TO WRITE...
Hon. J. Wade MLA
Attorney General
55 St Andrews Place
EAST MELBOURNE 3000 Victoria
Australia
Fax: + 61 (3) 9651 0556
Address your letter:...."Dear Madam Attorney"
Send a copy to the Governor of Victoria, at Government House, St Kilda
Road, Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia
Address your letter: .... "My Dear Governor"
WHAT TO WRITE?
For a petition of mercy, it is not necessary to argue legal points but
rather to ask that Heather be released on compassionate grounds. Your
letter can include the ten points below or some of them.
1. HEATHER OSLAND AND HER CHILDREN SUFFERED 13 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS AND
HORRIFIC FAMILY VIOLENCE AT THE HANDS OF HER HUSBAND, FRANK OSLAND.
She was raped, punched, pushed, kicked, belted and forced to obey Frank's
strict rules. She and her children were often not allowed to talk to each
other. Heather wasn't allowed to go to sleep before Frank did. He pushed
her head into the bathwater if she 'filled the bath too high'. He held a
gun at her head. (He was arrested for having an unlicenced weapon. This was
the only time police took action against Frank Osland - and at this time
they charged him with theft from his employer, too.) He beat, starved and
killed family pets. The children had to witness this cruelty or else they
too were beaten. Heather and her children lived in fear of their lives and
still bear the scars of the abuse.
2. HEATHER DID LEAVE MANY TIMES
This resulted in further violence from Frank. He hunted them down, he
stalked them and he threatened to kill them. Heather was unable to escape.
3. HEATHER SOUGHT ASSISTANCE FROM THE POLICE
Over this time, Heather, her children and neighbours rang the police many
times. Neighbours gave evidence that police discouraged them from
complaining about Frank. As so often is the case the police attitude was
"it is just another domestic". Not once was Frank charged with criminal
assault. Whilst work is being done now to address these issues, it is too
late for Heather.
4. HEATHER AND DAVID FEARED FOR THEIR LIVES AND WERE FORCED TO TAKE STEPS
TO SAVE THEIR LIVES.
They continuously lived in fear for their lives. On the day of the killing
both Heather and her son David were assaulted and their lives were
threatened by Frank Osland. In the night or two nights before the
killing, Frank Osland kicked Heather Osland out of bed and up against the
bedroom window, so that she almost flew out. She gave evidence about this
at the trial. David gave evidence that on the night of the killing he heard
his mother screaming and came in to find her up against the wall, held
there by Frank Osland. Heather Osland gave evidence that for one and a half
hours that night he was yelling and ranting at her, and standing over her,
but she blanked out his words. Yet the High Court said there was no
evidence that there had been violence against Heather in the lead up to the
killing.
5. HEATHER AND HER FAMILY HAVE SUFFERED
Heather suffered 13 years of violence and has now endured over 2 years in
prison. Her children suffer more while she is prison and need her to be
free to start mending damaged lives.
6. HEATHER IS NO THREAT TO SOCIETY
In prison, Heather has worked with many women and children who have
suffered at the hands of their violent partners. However, the costs of
her imprisonment far outweigh any benefits. Once released Heather would
continue to work in the area of criminal assault at home and other forms
of domestic violence with the many community groups with which she already
has contact.
7. SHE IS A LOVING MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER AND FRIEND.
Heather has great compassion and warmth. Her 8 grandchildren miss having
her in their lives.
8. CRIMINAL ASSAULT AT HOME AND OTHER FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE
UNACCEPTABLE
Our laws and systems need to reflect and act upon this and our society
needs to show understanding and compassion for those who seek to survive.
9. HEATHER AND HER FAMILY'S REALITY TOUCHES THE EXPERIENCES OF MANY IN OUR
COMMUNITY.
I join with the overwhelming community belief that Heather should be
released and request thatr you consider favourable her petition of mercy.
10. THANK-YOU, MADAM ATTORNEY, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.
* WHAT TO DO NEXT.....
* After sending your letter to the A-G, send a copy of your letter to the
Release Heather Osland Group, c/- Brimbank Community Centre, 822 Ballarat
Road, Deer Park, Victoria 3023 Australia Fax + 61 (3) 9360 4851, Email:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Please also write a copy to the United Nations Human Rights Committee and
send this copy to Brimbank Community Centre, too. A challenge to the High
Court's decision will be made through the United Nations channels and all
support on this aspect of the case is welcomed.
* To help Heather gain more support, fill out the form below and a
Supporter's Kit will be sent to you which includes details about how to
get more letters written, information about Heather's situation, petitions
etc.)
* Please copy this and distribute to your friends.
* For more info. about the RELEASE HEATHER OSLAND CAMPAIGN, phone + 61(3)
9363 1811 or AH + 61(3) 9387 6069 or + 61 (3) 9478 4526.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
RELEASE HEATHER OSLAND
To: Release Heather Osland Campaign
Brimbank Community Centre,
822 Ballarat Road,
Deer Park, Victoria 3023,
Australia
Fax + 61 (3) 9360 4851,
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
PLEASE SEND ME ____ RELEASE HEATHER OSLAND SUPPORTER'S KIT/S
NAME...........................................
ORGANISATION/GROUP................................................
ADDRESS; .........................................................
..................................................................
PHONE: ....................... FAX: .......................
EMAIL: ..............................................
********************************************************************
[snip]
Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List
http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html
