Bushfire victim’s family outraged

MEMORIES LIVE ON: Left, Mick Kane and wife Carol.

Editor’s note: As the boys have not been found guilty of a crime, comments assuming guilt cannot, and will not, be posted.

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Editorial: Bendigo deserves bushfire answersTHE family of Mick Kane wants evidence from a Taskforce Phoenix investigation into the fatal Black Saturday inferno to go before a Supreme Court judge.Mick Kane died on February 7, 2009, despite the best efforts of his sister Jill Ryan and her now husband Mick Ryan to save him.While the couple has often shared stories of a much-loved brother, they have never publicly spoken about the two boys charged with lighting the fire that caused his death. Now, they are still unable to do so. The case against the boys has been dropped and there will never be a verdict.“We couldn’t say anything in case it affected the court process – and now we can’t say anything again,’’ Mrs Ryan said.“The crown is supposed to be the voice of the victim, but who is his (Mick’s) voice?“The community will be outraged as much as we are, but what can you do?’’The couple wants the process changed in certain circumstances to allow for people with intellectual disabilities to be tried and then have their personal details taken into account during sentencing.Mr Ryan said a court verdict could then be used to offer small positives out of traumatic experiences.“Things could be put in place to help them get counselling – at least that would be a small positive,’’ he said.“It’s frustrating it can’t be put before a judge and the judge can’t decide what’s in and what’s out.“It’s a gross injustice – we are always at a loss with it, there’s no fairness.’’

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Bushfire victim’s family outraged

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