Tony Ticehurst learned through the media that the man who murdered his daughter is appealing his sentence. Nobody from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) told him directly.
Daniel Billings pleaded guilty to murdering Molly Ticehurst in her Forbes home in April 2024, while he was on bail and subject to an apprehended domestic violence order.
He was sentenced to 28 years, with a nonparole period of 20 years.
Days ago, the ODPP decided not to appeal that sentence. Now Billings is appealing it himself.
Independent Member for Orange Phil Donato MP said the family had been failed twice over.
“The Ticehurst family should never have had to hear about this in the news,” Mr Donato said.
“The law allows Billings the right to appeal. But that doesn’t excuse the system from treating Molly’s family with dignity and respect.”
Mr Donato said the community was entitled to ask why the prosecution won’t challenge a sentence widely seen as too lenient, while the convicted murderer can.
“There is clear and inexcusable inequity – and I’m calling the ODPP out on this, Mr Donato said. “Molly’s life mattered. Her family matters. The fight for justice continues.”