2 days ago
‘Appease you': Slain mum's family bombshell
The family of a woman killed by her violent partner in an act of gender-based violence has dropped a bombshell on a special forum hosted by A Current Affair - claiming prosecutors only brought them along to 'appease' them.
Lee Little, the father of slain Victorian woman Alicia Little, was one of the headline guests on the special public forum hosted by the Channel 9 program on Wednesday night.
The rare and critical gathering allowed victims of gender-based violence to come face-to-face with key figures in policy, law enforcement and the judiciary on a special hour-long edition of the news program.
Mr Little was joined by Alicia's son Bronson and daughter-in-law Lauren where the family said nothing was being done about violence in the community.
'It just, it breaks my heart to see this happening every day,' Ms Little said to the forum.
Charles McKenzie Ross Evans, Ms Little's former partner, was jailed for four years after violently running her down at a home in Kyneton in December 2017. Lee Little and Bronson Little spoke about their experience of losing Alicia, claiming the DPP only brought them along to one meeting to 'appease' them. A Current Affair/ Nine Credit: Supplied
Evans was initially charged with murder over Ms Little's death, which occurred after she attempted to leave the violent relationship.
He eventually pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and failing to render assistance after his charges were downgraded.
Evans was jailed for four years for Ms Little's death but was released on parole in 2020, moving to NSW.
Bronson Little voiced his anger at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and how they could not help defend his sister, claiming the family had a shocking encounter with the body.
'They sat my family in a room for 45 minutes and listened to our questions, and at the end of it they said to us, we only brought you here to appease you,' he said.
'To be perfectly honest, the system failed us.
'The system failed my family.'
David Heilpern, a former magistrate who sat on the panel, said he has bailed men who have gone on to kill.
Mr Heilpern said the system 'needs to change'.
'We actually need a holistic change to ensure that victims of violence take pride of place in the criminal justice system, rather than just being a another case.' Former magistrate David Heilpern said the system needs to change. A Current Affair/ Nine Credit: Supplied
At least 36 Australian women have been killed in 2025 so far, according to Australian Femicide Watch.
Sue and Lloyd Clarke, the parents of Hannah Clarke - who was murdered by alongside her three children by her estranged husband Rowan Baxter - said that it continue to get harder grieving their family's loss. Sue and Lloyd Clarke, parents of Hannah Clarke, told the forum about their family's experience. A Current Affair/ Nine Credit: Supplied
'I think you miss them more for a while.
'You're in shock and you can explain away that you know they're away or something.
'But it gets harder,' Ms Clarke said.
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