Gang boss who ordered witness' murder to be released

Christopher Crean was shot dead at his New Plymouth home in October 1996. File photo / NZ Herald

A Black Power gang boss is to be released from prison almost 20 years after ordering the execution of a police witness.

Brownie Mane was sentenced in 1997 to a minimum non-parole period of 17 years over, what the Parole Board described as, the "appalling murder of an innocent man".

Three others were also jailed over the killing in which police witness Christopher Crean was shot dead at his New Plymouth home in October 1996.

The Parole Board described Mane as "an active and dangerous gang leader" at the time of the killing.

Mane appeared before the board in December, when he was in External Staff Care. He had been on escorted outings, and carried out some community work in secure release-to-work employment with a supermarket, as well as doing five home leaves and shopping outings, and a period of compassionate leave.

He was said to be "making excellent progress".

However, the board felt "further testing ... was necessary".

In November, he was removed from External Self Care "for reasons unrelated to Mr Mane", and moved to Internal Self Care.

"Despite his disappointment at such a regression, he remained motivated with a positive attitude and is described as having excellent compliance and behaviour in prison," the board's decision said.

"Mr Mane has a good work ethic and had an escorted outing for compassionate reasons in February 2015 at which his behaviour was excellent."

He also had accommodation available at a suitable address, the board said, and work available to him.

"He has as recently as three weeks ago engaged in a re-integration hui with a large group of supporters."

Mane had also completed all rehabilitation programmes and "actively participated in pro-social activities".

"He presented extremely well to the Board today, to the extent that we are satisfied that what risk may remain is not undue and can be appropriately managed in the community with the extensive support that he has, and with the special conditions being monitored by the Probation Service."

Mane would be released on July 1 under the standard conditions, the Parole Board said. A number of special conditions would also be in place, including a ban on entering the Taranaki province, within boundaries north of Patea, South of Urunui or west of Taumarunui.