The Gambian butcher sentenced to life in prison for murdering Christchurch sex worker Renee Duckmanton claims his sentence is unjust as he was 'insane'.
Sainey Marong was sentenced to a minimum non-parole period of 18 years in jail after a jury found him guilty of Ms Duckmanton's murder at the Christchurch High Court in April 2018.
He filed an appeal against his conviction in May, and on Tuesday represented himself in Christchurch's Appeal Court.
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Marong told the court the Crown had no legal authority to prosecute him according to the Criminal Procedures Act, as he was unable to properly communicate with his lawyer, Court News reports.
After his arrest, Marong tested positive to diabetes - however he claims his medical records were misrepresented, and his worsening health problems were not disclosed to the jury.
A psychiatrist and a psychologist assessed Marong before he stood trial, and concluded that he did not meet the criteria for an insanity defence. They also concluded diabetes, if left untreated, could cause disease of the mind - but this did not happen to Marong.
Mark Lillico, who represented the Crown, said all expert evidence states Marong fell below threshold required to suggest an insulin deficiency led to the murder.
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Marong claims the jury should have found him not guilty by reasons of insanity.
Ms Duckmanton, 22, was killed in May 2016 after being picked up from Manchester St in the city's red light district for a job worth $300.
She was strangled to death, and her body was left burning on the side of the road near the Rakaia River.
At his trial, Marong denied that he meant to kill Ms Duckmanton, saying he had no murderous intent. He instead claimed he was insane suffering mental impairment and delusional, psychotic thoughts at the time which started after he voluntarily stopped taking his insulin medication in 2016.
However, the jury dismissed Marong's claims.
The Court of Appeal judges reserved their decision which should be released in a few weeks.
Newshub.
