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Graham McKenna family fury over killer Gary Finlay appeal bid



A GRIEVING family today called for a change in the law as the man who murdered a devoted dad prepared to appeal his sentence.

Gary Finlay was given two life sentences last year – one for the murder of soldier Graham McKenna and one for the attempted murder of his 14-year-old son, Michael – after a frenzied street knife attack in Claughton, Wirral, as the lad and dad made their way to watch their beloved Everton.

The 46-year-old was ordered to serve at least 25 years but is set to go to the Court of Appeal on March 4 to challenge that tariff.

Gill McKenna, Graham’s wife of 20 years, says she cannot go to London to face the “monster” who took away the love of her life and “tried to destroy” her son.

But she is angry at the thought Finlay, of Alexandra Road, Oxton, could have years knocked off his sentence if appeal judges agree, as his lawyers are set to argue, that he wasn’t given enough credit for pleading guilty and not forcing the family through the ordeal of a trial.

Mrs McKenna, 41, said: “Where are my rights of appeal as a widow with two children, one of who was nearly killed by this coward?

“A 14-year-old schoolboy, stabbed 12 times but, thank God, survived, but now has to live with the nightmare of that horrendous day forever. Where are Michael’s rights?

“Finlay did not give my husband any rights to live.

“Life should mean life. If you take a life, you give up the rights to your life.

“The law has to change. He pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder but now he has the right to appeal?

“I am told this is just ‘the game’ that is played but we have already been to Hell and back.

“Now we have to fight to change the law so families are spared this extra heartache.”

Mrs McKenna has joined the Merseyside campaign group Families Fighting for Justice to put pressure on MPs.

Michael McKenna, now 15, said: “I’m going to keep fighting for my dad and for justice. Gary Finlay appealing is not justice.”

His sister, Amy, added: “No sentence will ever be high enough for me. But a court of law made a decision to jail Finlay for 25 years so why should he go against that decision?

“I cant go to see my dad or talk to him. So I ask, who’s got the biggest sentence? Gary Finlay a man who killed a father and destroyed an entire family? Or myself, who’s 20-years-old and without a dad?

“Where's my appeal against my life sentence?”

Finlay, who was once married to Mrs McKenna’s sister Debra, struck on Saturday, January 10, 2009, after building up years of festering rage.

THE WIRRAL NEWS

I cant believe that this 'person' has the nerve to appeal. Hes the type of fella who should be off the streets. He should serve his two life sentences and be made to live with what hes done.

asshole

You dont mince your words Ste....

Ste is all wize and all knowing!

The british judicial system can be so f u c k e d up some times. I know everyone has the right to appeal but surly some circumstances should have exceptions. I wonder how much money it will cost the tax payer for this joke.

B a s t a r d!

I hope he rotts in jail.

Its only right we have an appeal system, God only knows there have been some dodgy convictions, in this case the prick should have his extended until he snuffs it. The Mckenna families sentence will never go away. That's a life sentence of misery.

His sentence could go up as well as down.

We live in hope it goes up.

For me this would be a case for bringing back the death penalty.

Once they are strung up there is no appeal. Good!
The lawyers are always looking for dodgy technical appeal grounds. The crims are their clients not us, law abiders are not worth a light to the lawyer profession and that's why they ignore us. Without the crims they haven't got employment. The bugger is, they use our money to fund all this crap.

While he`s on appeal his sentence is held while he is in prison until the appeal is over.
So while he is appealing the time will not be coming off his sentence, the clock will start again once the appeal is over, tbh i don`t think he will get any less considering the brutaliy of his offences.

Sick man, protected ...

just wondering is this abusive language?

nope, niether is asshole

or fookin!