The country's youngest killer, Bailey Junior Kurariki, is an articulate, intelligent young man, who appears genuine in his desire to live an offence-free life, the Parole Board said yesterday.
Kurariki was aged 12 when he was involved - along with five others - in the baseball bat killing of South Auckland pizza delivery man Michael Choy in September 2001. He was found guilty of manslaughter and was sentenced to seven years in jail.
The Parole Board said yesterday it had adjourned Kurariki's parole hearing for one month to allow funding of a mentoring programme to be investigated. He is due to be released on September 16.
The comments are in stark contrast to Parole Board reports released in January and July last year, which said Kurariki was ‘‘at very high risk of general and violent reoffending''.
Yesterday's Parole Board decision said it was appropriate to point out the progress Kurariki had made during his time in jail.
‘‘Despite the problems he presented with earlier in his incarceration, he has over the past several months, and particularly since his transfer to the [withheld] Unit, showed a self-discipline and determination to stay out of trouble and benefit from the programmes and courses available to him.''
The board said he presented as an articulate, and intelligent, young man, who focused on achievable goals.
‘‘He has not been backward in speaking to the board about his time in prison and what he expects when he is in the community.
‘‘He appears genuine in his desire to live an offence-free life and those responsible for him in prison have noted a developing maturity.''
The board recommended that as soon as it was considered appropriate, Kurariki should be
permitted day leaves.
Mr Choy's mother, Rita Croskery, told The New Zealand Herald yesterday she hoped Kurariki was reformed, but said it would be difficult to know whether he had really changed.
‘‘Because he's expecting to be released, he's got to behave himself so I suppose he's restrained himself and learned a little bit of self-discipline in the meantime. Most of these people, when they think they are going to be released, probably do the best they can to behave for the last six months.''
Ms Croskery, who last week called for the electronic monitoring of Kurariki upon his release, said he got off very lightly for what he had done. And she doesn't want to meet Kurariki she added.
‘‘I hope they will notify us where he will be released because I don't want to meet him in the street or anything".
