Lundy inflicts more anguish

OPINION: A decade after Mark Lundy brutally murdered his wife and daughter, the case still evokes strong emotions in Palmerston North.

Obviously, no amount of time will erase the pain for Christine and Amber Lundy's family and friends, but the impact the killings had on the whole city also seems to endure.

And the public intrigue in the case has been heightened by Lundy's impending legal bid to have his convictions overturned.

As reported in today's Manawatu Standard, Lundy's lawyers are preparing an appeal to the Attorney-General in an attempt to clear his name.

It must be stressed that doing so is his right. The law, as it should, provides avenues to test and challenge the validity of a jury's verdict, and that process must be allowed to take its course.

However, Lundy's latest legal bid shines a light on just how despicable an individual he is. While aspects of his case might be vulnerable to legal challenge, Lundy sits in his cell in Manawatu Prison with the knowledge he has his wife and child's blood on his hands.

He knows he is guilty, yet is prepared to inflict further anguish on his victims' loved ones. His complete absence of remorse keeps alive a crime that they, and the rest of the city, should be able to put behind them.

It's incredibly unfortunate that, at a time when the lives of Christine and Amber Lundy should be honoured and celebrated, their killer is demanding attention with his efforts to fight his conviction.

It's as though Lundy recognises the benefits in building intrigue in his case, and perhaps has visions of riding a wave of popular support to freedom, much like David Bain did. An appeal to the Attorney-General will reignite public interest and he can paint himself as the victim of a great injustice.

In reality, the only victims are his wife and daughter, and all those who are still struggling with their loss. Tomorrow, 10 years on from their brutal deaths, is their day, not his.

His next legal push, like those before it, will come and go without success, but his wife and child will still be dead, and their family and friends will still be living with the grief of losing them.

Lundy is oblivious to their pain, but we shouldn't be. They need the support of their community, and no doubt they will get it.The Turbos' season is looking a tad shaky, but hopefully they can turn things around at FMG Stadium tomorrow. The great thing about Manawatu supporters is we stick by our team through thick and thin and that must be a huge boost for the team. Hopefully it pays off this weekend against Hawke's Bay.

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