Police and prison chiefs are facing
legal action on two fronts over alleged failings to keep the public
safe.
The Sensible Sentencing Trust is taking police and prison
managers to court over the murderous rampage of Graeme Burton, who
killed
father-of-two Karl Kuchenbecker in the Lower Hutt hills while on
parole in January 2007, The Dominion Post reported today.
Officials are also facing private prosecution over failures
leading to the death of Nelson woman Debbie Nelson, who was killed
in a collision with a car driven by a repeat drink drive offender.
Papers in the Burton case have been filed by trust spokesman
Garth McVicar against Police Commissioner Howard Broad, Wellington
police chief Pieri Munro, Corrections chief Barry Matthews, former
Rimutaka Prison manager Christopher Smith, and probation service
manager Katrina Casey.
A report released by Auditor-General Kevin Brady in March showed
the department failed to follow procedure in Burton's parole.
Mr McVicar said there was clear evidence that ministers and
managers involved with parolees like Burton had not taken steps to
prevent serious and predictable harm.
Karl Kuchenbecker's father Paul said the action was not about
money.
"People are only going to learn from their mistakes if they are
punished for them."
Judy Ashton said her daughter Debbie would have also been alive
today if Corrections and police had done their jobs.
Debbie Ashton died in a head-on crash when a speeding car driven
by repeat drunk driver Jonathan Allan Barclay crossed the centre
line.
Barclay would have been in prison if Corrections and police had
advised the court of his long list of convictions when he appeared
on a previous driving charge.
Judy Ashton said: "All I'm really seeking is accountability and
for people to know they are not above the law, and if they fail to
do their job and keep people safe, then they will have to face the
consequences."
NZPA