Watching that sad case in America and having no idea whether the Brit is guilty or innocent (the verdict has no relevance whatever; my lack of actual information and knowledge is what counts)... I really hate these "victim impact" statements.

Often they are not the impact on direct victims at all (the victim being dead) and the awful impact every tragedy has is very dangerous when delivered as a sentencing tool (what about the victims who are friends and family of the perpetrator? This could - and should once you cross the line - go on forever)...

Often they are designed in order to get greater vengeance, sympathy, media coverage...

Draw the line and ban the lot - sentence on the facts (if you can get them).

I agree. Several high profile murder convictions have been found to be wrong. E.g. the 'victims' of Stefan Kisko turned out to not be his victims. He was innocent of the crime.

And can you imagine the "impact" on all those family and friends of Sally Clark when she murdered her babies?

Only problem was - she didn't.

I reckon the impact on individuals stitched up by police and CPS (like me) must be immense.