Alexander, Croskery happy with parole decision

Rita Croskery, the mother of murdered Auckland pizza delivery driver Michael Choy, and United Future MP Marc Alexander were today both satisfied with the Parole Board decision to decline Casie Rawiri's bid for freedom, but not happy that she would be able to apply again next year.

Rawiri robbed Mr Choy as he lay dying in the street and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail. The sentencing judge referred to Rawiri as a "vulture".

Both Mr Alexander and Mrs Croskery attended the hearing at Christchurch women's prison last Thursday.

"We're unhappy to have to be at her parole hearing again next year," Mrs Croskery said.

"But we do applaud the Parole Board's decision. They saw sense that she was unfit to be released, recognising that she could still be a menace," she said.

Mr Alexander, who successfully campaigned for Mrs Croskery's right to attend the hearing after she was initially refused access, also said it was a shame that Rawiri could re-apply next year.

"While there has been a positive change allowing three-year intervals between parole applications in particularly serious cases, this crime was so disgusting that such a ruling would have been fitting in Rawiri's case.

"Unfortunately the board was not able to do this, but it's done the next best thing and kept her behind bars where she belongs," he said.

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