Media statement
For immediate release
Tuesday, 7 October 2003

Alexander: victims’ rights before killer’s rights

United Future law and order spokesman, Marc Alexander, is calling on the Parole Board to uphold the rights of victims when it deliberates on Bailey Junior Kurariki’s appeal for home detention today.

“This offender was given seven years for the murder of Michael Choy, and now after just one year he’s up for home detention. Sentences are supposed to reflect enormity of the crime. What does this say to the victim’s family and fiancé about the worth of Mr Choy’s life?” said Mr Alexander.

“After twelve months in residence at Kingslea, Kurariki has been reported twelve times for behavioural incidents.

“If he can’t behave himself in a controlled environment like Kingslea, what sort of trouble will he make at home?

“The Parole Board is charged with ensuring that public safety is paramount when making its decisions. But the Parole Act 2002 also states that victims rights are to be upheld.

“That shouldn’t just mean that criminals are released when they’re no longer considered a threat. To truly uphold the rights of victims, offenders must serve their full sentences, to satisfy those affected by their crimes that justice has been done.”

Mr Alexander said “Every time that Kurariki and his five fellow killers go up for parole or home detention, it re-opens the wounds they’ve already inflicted on the victim’s family.

“The true crime will be if Kurariki is released into home detention today.

Mark my words, if Kurariki is granted home detention, it won’t be the last that we hear of him,” concluded Mr Alexander.

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