Man jailed for life claims innocence on Facebook

Kristofer Jones. Photo / File

One of the men convicted of murdering disabled Featherston man Glen Jones has set up a Facebook page proclaiming his innocence.

Kristofer Jones must serve at least 17 years of a life sentence for the killing.

That sentence was imposed two years ago for the killing of Mr Jones, 40, who died in hospital after suffering severe head injuries in a brutal attack in his Featherston home in January 2013.

The supermarket worker was beaten up in retaliation over allegations of an alleged rape, based on unsubstantiated rumour.

Featherston man Glen Jones, 40, who died in hospital after suffering severe head injuries in a brutal attack in his home in January 2013. Photo / Supplied

Alongside Jones, Tariana Jones, Matthew McKinney and Hayden Ranson were also given life sentences.

Another member of the vigilante group, Toni Miller, waited on the street while the murder took place and was found guilty of aggravated burglary.

She was jailed for eight years.

All appeals against convictions were dismissed by the Court of Appeal last year but Jones has now turned to social media to proclaim his innocence.

Supporters have set up a Facebook page called, "Kristofer Jones was set up for murder by the police, this proves it."

On it they have uploaded notes from the case files.

"I'm Kristofer Jones and I'm innocent. I was set up and this page will prove it," he says in a lengthy message sent to media organisations and political parties.

"I'm currently serving a life sentence with a minimum parole period of 17 years for murder, alongside a concurrent sentence of 10 years for aggravated burglary.

"I did not commit, nor was I a direct party to these offences. I was taken advantage of and manipulated into believing that something else was going to take place in the form of verbal abuse," Jones says.

Tonight, the Facebook page had just more than 120 "likes".

At sentencing in the High Court at Wellington two years ago, Justice Alan MacKenzie said Jones' attackers took his life and his reputation, by falsely accusing him of rape.

He said their actions were "mindless mob mentality" that left him with more than 30 injuries, including a fractured skill and bruised and swollen brain.