Barman killer closer to freedom
A man who executed a rural publican by slitting his throat from ear to ear is getting closer to freedom, with measures to reintegrate him into the community set to increase.
Christopher Taunoa has been in prison since 1997 for murdering Hugh Lynch, 56, in the Junction Motel, Bar and Restaurant in Sanson in 1996.
Lynch was found in the pub’s office, located about 20 kilometres north-west of Palmerston North, by his wife Anne.
Taunoa’s defence team accused Lynch’s son Anthony of the murder during the trial, and suggested Anne helped clean up the scene.
Taunoa has not kept out of trouble in prison, picking up a conviction in 2002 for injuring a fellow inmate with intent. That pushed his parole eligibility out to 2006.
But he nas never been released on parole, and nothing changed when he was seen by the Parole Board recently.
While he has completed a special treatment unit rehabilitation programme, he had twice been returned from temporary release due to ‘‘conflicts arising out of his behaviour’’, the board said.
A previous report described him as a high-risk offender who needed careful management with reintegration.
He has since started more reintegration activities, which involved escorted outings for shopping and counselling to deal with gambling and budgeting issues.
His recent behaviour in prison was good and he was trusted in his prison job, the board said. However, a psychologist said Taunoa was yet to prove he could behave outside the prison environment.
They recommended Taunoa start structured reintegration, with the board proposing either outings, staying in self-care units inside prison, or release to work programmes.
Taunoa, however, wanted to be released immediately.
The board said that was ‘‘unrealistic’’ as he had little support in the area he wanted to move to. His partner lives in a different location, the name of which was withheld.
‘‘He needs to prove himself through appropriate structured reintegration activities.
‘‘Much work remains to be undertaken by Mr Taunoa despite the good progress he has been making in recent months.’’
He would have to develop extensive support in the region he wanted to be released to before satisfying the board he would not be an undue risk.
Parole was declined, with his next hearing to happen about August 2018.
‘‘By [that] time we hope [Taunoa] has been able to successfully engage in appropriate reintegration activities which will suit him for reintroduction into the community after over 20 years in prison,’’ the board said.
While inside, Taunoa successfully sued Corrections for breaching his human rights over treatment he was given in a behaviour management programme from 1998 to 2004.
He was, however, unable to get his hands on the money because it was set aside as part of the Victims’ Special Claims Tribunal, which enables victims to make claims for criminals’ compensation money.