Victim impact statements and judicial sensitivity

The last 24 hours has seen the Herald Sun and affiliated newspapers run an article on the drama that unfolded during the sentencing hearing of Leon Borthwick. The article is available here.

The Facts
On 16 November 2008, Mark Zimmer was killed when he was struck by a van driven by Leon Borthwick. Borthwick was charged with murder and after a trial, was convicted by a jury of manslaughter. Yesterday, Kornelia Zimmer sought to read parts of her victim impact statement. Borthwick's counsel, Carmen Randazzo objected to several lines on the basis of relevance. Justice Katherine Williams agreed and directed that certain passages in the statement be admitted.

Today, Kornelia Zimmer took to the airwaves to share the omitted portions of her statement with 3AW's listeners.