MP angered by parole of Slavich killer

11.50am

The release on parole of the killer of Paeroa farmer Steven Slavich was "a huge insult" to the dead man's family, United Future leader Peter Dunne said today.

Mr Slavich was killed by Shane Mitchell Rogers in 1991, when Rogers was 16 years old.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment, but was yesterday released on parole after serving about 10 years.

Justice Heron contacted Mr Slavich's wife Allison yesterday to inform her of the decision, which took the Parole Board 10 days to consider.

Mrs Slavich said she was informed too late that Rogers was to go before the board for a parole hearing on March 5, leaving her unable to properly prepare submissions against Rogers' release.

Mr Dunne said today the whole process of the decision had been "careless" and unappreciative of the family's concerns.

"I'm shocked about that (release)," he told NZPA.

"Firstly it's a huge insult to the Slavich family. Mrs Slavich's concerns have clearly counted for nothing. And that means they have to relive the horror of Steven's murder, daily from now on.

"And I think on a wider level, this says something about the system. A system that is unresponsive to public concern."

Mr Dunne said the decision flew in the face of public opinion, shown in the tougher sentencing referendum in 1999, that was supported by 92 per cent of voters.

"There's a growing feeling in the community that we do too little for victims, that it's too easy for the criminals. This decision sends that message loud and clear, it's contemptuous," he said.

He called it an "appalling decision" and said Corrections Minister Matt Robson had to take some responsibility.

"When I raised the matter with Matt Robson, the response I got was that he didn't get involved in personal cases. That's not good enough, this sort of running for cover when these sorts of decisions are made," Mr Dunne said.

"MPs are responding to public concern and it's not good enough that essentially anonymous officials (the Parole Board) start telling us we shouldn't react to public concern."

The murder occurred after Mr Slavich stopped to give Rogers and a friend a ride. Rogers shot him, but when Mr Slavich tried to escape from the vehicle, he caught his arm in a seatbelt.

Rogers grabbed the steering wheel and sped off, dragging Mr Slavich for 5km at speeds of more than 100km/h.

Mr Dunne said the nature of the killing meant parole at this time should not have been an option.

"This was a particularly vicious slaying, it was unwarranted and unprovoked and the fact that he (Rogers) gets out with essentially the minimum sentence, sends a pretty awful signal to the rest of society."

Mrs Slavich had earlier expressed concern for her and her family's safety and Mr Dunne said they would now have to "think very carefully" about their personal security.

- NZPA