[Australia] No justice for ex-officer's wife of 30 years, Leonie Claire Keeys - battered, smothered, strangled, killed with tactical hold

Leonie Claire Keeys

"She was very soft and gentle.

One of those really nice people.

A tiny, beautiful lady."

[220lb Former Queensland police sergeant] Kenneth Malcolm Keeys was on Monday sentenced to seven-and-a-half years jail for the manslaughter of his wife of 30 years, Leonie Keeys [127lbs], in their Alderley home in Brisbane on August 14, 2007... eligible for parole after he serves 2½ years... When police found Ms Keeys, she was face down on a pillow on the floor,

had three fractured ribs

and bruises to her face,

upper chest,

legs and

arms...

EX-COP JAILED FOR KILLING WIFE

Brisbane Times

Amelia Bentley

July 18, 2011 - 12:44PM

[Excerpts] An ex-cop has been jailed after he used his Queensland Police Service training to kill his wife of 30 years. Kenneth Malcolm Keeys, 57, was arguing with his wife Leonie Keeys about money on August 14, 2007, when she "launched herself" at him, Brisbane Supreme Court heard this morning. He was sentenced to 7½ years, to be eligible for parole after he serves 2½ years... The cause of death was asphyxiation caused by strangulation or smothering. Keeys was arrested and charged with murder, but this morning the Crown accepted his plea to the lesser charge of manslaughter... "He put her into a hold that as a police officer he used to restrain struggling people," [Prosecutor David Meredith] said... Defence barrister Tony Glynn, SC, said his client left the QPS in 1994 after an attempt on his life led to post traumatic stress disorder... "He gripped her in a hold that he'd been taught to restrain people," Mr Glynn said. Keeys was supported in court by his children and a group of friends... But Mrs Keeys' family said they were unhappy Keeys was dealt with for manslaughter, not murder. Brian Ramsey said his sister Leonie was a loving caring woman and he did not believe version of events read out in court. "We wanted a stronger charge," he said. [Full article here]

JAIL FOR QLD EX-COP WHO KILLED WIFE

The Sydney Morning Herald

Kym Agius

July 18, 2011

[Excerpts] A former Queensland police sergeant who left the force with post-traumatic stress syndrome restrained his wife in a police hold and killed her during a heated argument. Kenneth Malcolm Keeys was on Monday sentenced to seven-and-a-half years jail for the manslaughter of his wife of 30 years, Leonie Keeys, in their Alderley home in Brisbane on August 14, 2007... He confessed to police hours after the killing. When police found Ms Keeys, she was face down on a pillow on the floor, had three fractured ribs and bruises to her face, upper chest, legs and arms... [Defence for Keeys, Tony] Glynn also pointed out Keeys' dedication to the police force for more than 20 years, during which time he received a National Police Medal for his front-line service... Outside court, Ms Keeys' brother, Brian Ramsey, said he wanted Keeys charged with murder and was sceptical his loving and caring sister was capable of the argument that was described in court. "Now that the events of Leoni's death have been put before the court we sincerely hope her story can be told, so that all those people who in some way had been touched by Leoni during her life can make up their own minds as to whether a gentle and caring person is capable of behaviour which has been put forward by Kenneth Keeys in defence of his actions"... [Full article here]

PRISON FOR EX-COP WHO KILLED WIFE

The Courier-Mail

Tony Keim

July 19, 2011 12:00AM

[Excerpts] ...Prosecutor David Meredith said it appeared [former Queensland police sergeant Kenneth Malcolm] Keeys, who then weighed about 100kg, "over-reacted" or was "extremely careless" when he overpowered and tried to restrain Leonie, who weighed 58kg... Acting Justice Julie Dick, in sentencing Keeys, said: "Your life up to this time had only been noteworthy for positive things. "The events of that night appear to have been out of character for you. Of course, it cannot be overlooked that your wife died as a result of this"... [Full article here]

FROM 2007:

EX-COP 'SMOTHERED WIFE TO DEATH WITH PILLOW'

The Courier-Mail

Robyn Ironside and Jasmin Lill

August 15, 2007 12:00AM

[Excerpts] A FORMER Queensland policeman is behind bars on a murder charge after allegedly smothering his wife to death with a pillow... Neighbours expressed disbelief yesterday that the "kind and gentle" mother of three was dead. "She was very soft and gentle. One of those really nice people. A tiny, beautiful lady," said Lee-Ann Ostwald... [Full article here]

[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal fatality fatalities murder tactical international australia got away with murder politics]