Gunman David Bourke will be released next month, just five months after he was sentenced for the manslaughter of his brother in a mercy killing.
The 48-year-old from Whanganui, who used the provocation defence to clear himself of a murder charge in November last year, was granted release by the Parole Board in a decision released today.
He had already served 411 days in remand prison by the time he was sentenced.
Bourke shot his brother, Timothy Bourke, with a .22 rifle at the Gordon Park Scenic Reserve in Whanganui in November 2009, then drove across the lower North Island with the body in his car.
He crashed north of Dannevirke later that day and shot at a police officer who arrived at the crash scene.
He then fled on foot, with shotgun in hand, sparking an armed police hunt around Norsewood and forcing terrified locals to lock themselves in their homes. He was found in a toilet block at the Norsewood and Districts Golf Club two days later.
In the Parole Board decision, panel convenor Judge David Carruthers said the board was confident Bourke would abide by his release conditions with the support of his family.
"He copes in prison but he cannot be said to be coping well. The only place he knows is in the middle of his family. They await him. The support there is thoughtful and strong."
It was likely that Bourke's job as a freezing worker would still be available to him as he was thought well of there, Judge Curruthers said.
But it was "crucial" that Forensic Mental Health staff, a psychologist, Probation Service and family members met before Bourke's release so they understood their obligations to support the release.
Bourke must not possess firearms or ammunition, his release conditions state.
Amongst the other conditions is a requirement that Bourke attend a psychological assessment and complete any treatment or counselling as required.
The sentencing judge, Justice Simon France, said last year that he had been troubled before sentencing about trying to acknowledge the mercy killing while not undermining the importance of the events that followed.
"Timothy Bourke put a lot of pressure on David to kill him . . . he effectively haunted his brother's existence."
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/4905401/Norsewood-gunman-David-Bourke-gets-parole
