Dad of slain woman reacts to killer’s move

Courtney Herron was killed by Henry Hammond in a 50-minute attack in 2019. Picture: Supplied.
Courtney Herron was killed by Henry Hammond in a 50-minute attack in 2019. Picture: Supplied.

The father of a slain Melbourne woman has welcomed her killer’s decision to withdraw an application for a suppression order on his case.

Speaking to media outside the Victorian Supreme Court on Monday, John Herron said the move was “a win for the community of Victoria”.

“Suppression orders are far too frequent in Victoria … what is there to suppress in this instance where a young woman has been killed and many others, other women, are facing these people out on the street,” he said.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - 11 NOVEMBER, 2024: John Herron, the father of murdered Melbourne woman Courtney Herron, is pictured outside the COurt of Appeal in Melbourne. Picture: NewsWire / Liam Beatty
John Herron said he welcomed the decision. Picture: NewsWire / Liam Beatty

Mr Herron, a lawyer by trade, attended court after an application for a suppression order was made by his daughter’s killer Henry Hammond.

Mr Herron sought the court’s leave to be heard in the case to “represent the community” but ultimately Hammond’s lawyer withdrew the application.

“We’ve been in ongoing contact with Mr Hammond; he did instruct us to withdraw the application today,” she said.

Under the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act, orders to bar publication of details of court cases can be made if the court is satisfied it is in the public interest to do so.

Courtney Herron was beaten to death. Picture: Supplied
Courtney Herron was beaten to death. Picture: Supplied
Mr Herron and his daughter. Picture: Supplied
Mr Herron and his daughter. Picture: Supplied

Courtney Herron, 25, was beaten to death by Hammond, then 27, in a 50-minute attack with a tree branch in the early hours of May 25, 2019.

The pair had been walking through Royal Park in Melbourne and her body was found by dog walkers hours later covered with leaves, a large tree branch and a piece of concrete.

Hammond was found not guilty by reason of mental impairment the following year and was placed under supervision at a secure psychiatric hospital for a nominal 25-year term.

At the time, the court was told it was psychiatric consensus that Hammond was in a psychotic state and did not know what he did was wrong.

Henry Hammond was placed into the care of a psychiatric hospital. Picture: Supplied.
Henry Hammond was placed into the care of a psychiatric hospital. Picture: Supplied.

Justice Phillip Priest struck out the application without considering the merits and told Hammond’s lawyers they could reapply in the future if needed.

But he warned there was a “substantial hurdle” needed to be met to convince him of the merits of making a suppression order.

Outside court, Mr Herron said he was unsure why Hammond’s lawyers initially sought the suppression order, saying that because he was found not guilty, details of court hearings are not provided to Mr Herron’s family.

“We never got to see the submission today so we, as the victims, don’t get to see why he was submitting for it,” he said.