March 31, 2014
Pora parole
Teina Pora will be able to prepare his appeal to the Privy Council from outside prison bars.
Pora is appealing his conviction for the rape and murder of Auckland woman Susan Burdett in 1992.
This morning the Parole Board ruled he no longer posed an undue risk to the safety of the community and could be released after 21 years inside.
Pora was declined bail by the High Court on Friday after the judge ruled the court was unable to grant bail to a sentenced prisoner pending appeal to the Privy Council.
The Maori Party says after twelve parole hearings it’s a small step in the right direction, and they now hope the Privy Council will be able to overturn the original conviction.
The Law Lords are expected to hear Pora’s appeal in October or November.
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