The
Sensible Sentencing Trust is having a second crack at prosecuting the
police and Corrections Department over the release of murderer Graeme
Burton from prison.
Burton was on parole after 14 years in prison
for murder when he shot and killed Karl Kuchenbecker in Wainuiomata in
January 2007.
Five weeks earlier, police asked the Corrections
Department to recall Burton to prison for breaching a number of his
parole conditions.
Sensible Sentencing Trust head Garth McVicar
wants both departments held accountable for how Burton was managed
following his release.
In Wellington District Court on Monday,
Judge Stephen Harrop heard an application from Mr McVicar for an
extension of time to prosecute both departments under the Health and
Safety Act.
Under the act, private prosecutions have a six-month time limit.
A
previous application by the trust was rejected by a District Court
judge last year, but was sent back to that court to reconsider following
a High Court appeal.
Judge Harrop was expected to reserve his decision.
NZN