Exclusive: 'He can go to bloody hell' - family's anger following Parole Board decision on Black Power murderer

The mum of a Crown Witness gunned down by gang members is dismayed one of the killers is allowed back into the Taranaki region where she lives.

The mother of a Crown witness gunned down by gang members is dismayed one of the killers is allowed back into the Taranaki region where she lives.

In Liz Crean's first television interview since Christopher Crean's killers were jailed 19 years ago, she says a Parole Board decision is "soft" and disempowering.

"I'm not worried about him wanting to be with his family and attend tangis. Well hey, that's it. I'm not going to be soft with him. Nah, get stuffed. No. He can go to bloody hell," Ms Crean told ONE News.

"This parole board, someone's soft, someone's gone soft."

Father of four Christopher Crean was gunned down by Black Power members at his front door in New Plymouth in 1996.

He was due to give evidence against Black Power over an assault he witnessed.

In late February this year, mother Liz Crean received a letter telling her Brownie Mane, who's been released on parole after serving a life sentence, will be able to go into Taranaki to attend family funerals.

Mane has to write a request to his Parole Officer and undergo a "comprehensive risk assessment" before he is allowed into the region.

The new parole condition reverses an earlier rule that banned Mane from the region, following the express wishes of Christopher Crean's family.

The parole system we feel is extremely unbalanced

—  Scott Guthrie | Sensible Sentencing Trust

Christopher Crean's auntie called Kathleen says the family wasn't consulted.

"My nephew Christopher - he couldn't attend his brothers funeral. He couldn't attend his own son's funeral - because of what they did.

"It shouldn't be allowed," she said.

The Sensible Sentencing Trust wants a review of the Parole Board decision and the law that governs it.

"The parole system we feel is extremely unbalanced. It is offender friendly, it is discriminative and inconsistent for the victims".

The parole board declined to comment on camera but in an email says it only releases an offender on parole when it's satisfied there is no "undue risk" to the community.

The Corrections Department backs this assessment.

In a statement it says Mane has good support outside prison, and is "committed to be a productive member of society".

It says before he ever gets permission to attend funerals, victims will be informed and he will undergo a "comprehensive risk assessment done".

Liz Crean says she's fighting this decision for her family.

"I've got grandchildren here too, they live here. We've got families."

SHARE ME

More Stories