VIC: Supporters vow to fight on for Heather Osland

AAP General News (Australia)
12-10-1998
VIC: Supporters vow to fight on for Heather Osland

By Peter Barber

MELBOURNE, Dec 10 AAP - A High Court decision rejecting an appeal against the murder
conviction of Heather Osland who was terrorised by her husband for 13 years before she killed
him, was unjust, her son said.

David Albion said Frank Osland was a cruel and evil husband who tormented his mother for 13
years and hunted her down whenever she tried to break his grip.

"I feel its an injustice her being inside because to live 13 years with a bloke that beat
her up and everything and now shes got to spend the next seven years reminded of it," he
said.

Oslands right of appeal was exhausted when the High Court handed down its 3-2 judgment
today rejecting the battered woman syndrome as a defence to murder.

"My mum went through a lot of pain for a long time," Mr Albion told reporters in Melbourne
after the decision.

"(Shes) very devastated today. Shes just very disappointed with the decision."

Mr Albion, who is Oslands son from an earlier marriage, struck the fatal blow but was
acquitted of murder in a separate trial by reason of self defence.

Today he criticised the Victorian police for claiming they were called to the Oslands
Bendigo house only once for domestic violence. Her supporters say she stopped calling police
after numerous reports because each time the violence escalated when the police left.

"I would like to know why the police withheld evidence - basically is what Id call it," Mr
Albion said.

"They say they only came to the house once and they came to the house more than once that I
know of."

Asked how he would describe Mr Osland, Mr Albion replied: "Evil. Cruel and evil."

Since she was jailed in 1996, Oslands supporters have campaigned to have her freed and
today they vowed to continue the fight on two fronts.

At an emotional press conference in Melbourne, the Release Heather Osland campaign pledged
to take her case to the United Nations Human Rights Committee, arguing she was denied fair
treatment under the covenant on civil and political rights.

They have also pledged to seek her full pardon from Victorian Governor Sir James Gobbo.

Community advocate Chris Momot said Osland and her children lived as hostages in their own
home for 13 years.

"I think the community ought to be devastated and concerned given that such an appalling
decision was handed down ... on International Human Rights Day," she said.

Ms Momot said police never charged Mr Osland over the repeated violence and medical
practitioners never questioned her injuries.

Virginia Geddies from the Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre said the High
Courts decision sent a dangerous message to both women and men.

"I think the messages are these - that ultimately the law does not protect women and their
children from violence, that violence from partners is acceptable in the eyes of the law and
that women who are forced into killing their partners as a last resort can expect no
understanding from the legal system," she said.

AAP pjb/jlw/cfm

KEYWORD: OSLAND REACTION

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