Teen who murdered caregiver at 13: I don't want parole

Jordan Nelson was 13 years and 89 days old when he murdered his 50-year-old caregiver Rosemaree Kurth. Photograph supplied

A teen who murdered a woman when he was just 13 - becoming one the country's youngest killers - has been refused parole.

A report by the Parole Board has shed light on the youth's offending, which, six years on, he is only just beginning to understand.

Jordan Nelson was jailed for 18 years for murdering his 50-year-old caregiver Rosemaree Kurth at her home near New Plymouth in April 2012.

Nelson - who was just 13 at the time - gunned down Kurth while her partner Kerry Lock tended to cattle.

When Lock returned home he followed "bloody drag marks" into a spare bedroom and found Kurth's body on the floor.

Nelson, after stealing money from the couple, had stolen a car and fled to Waitara where he was later arrested.

He pleaded guilty to murder but was not sentenced to life imprisonment.

At the time Justice Paul Heath said that in the light of Nelson's culpability and having regard to his age, brain development and personal circumstances it would be "manifestly unjust" to sentence him to life behind bars.

Instead, he sentenced Nelson to a finite term of 18 years imprisonment, with no minimum non-parole period.

Nelson is now 19 and became eligible for parole this month.

Unless the board release him, he will remain in prison until April 15, 2030.

While eligible for parole, the board said Nelson "did not seek it".

"He accepts that he has more work to do before that is a realistic possibility," said Justice Marion Frater in her decision, released publicly this week.

She said the young killer needed - and wanted - more help.

"He is aware of the ongoing effect of his offending on the victims and their families," she explained.

"He said he did not think of the consequences of his actions. He cannot explain why he did what he did. He wants help with that process.

"The best explanation he could give was that, at the time, he was not disciplined.

"He went from having no discipline when living with his mother, to living with Ms Kurth and Mr Lock, who tried to set boundaries."

Nelson told the board that he was "immature" when he murdered Kurth.

He did not like being told, "no" and he had been suspended from school for using and dealing in drugs.

"He accepts that, at the time, he did not feel or demonstrate any remorse," Justice Frater said.

"He said it took him more than a year to begin thinking of others.

"He has had no help with that process. He has been trying to work it out himself."

The house where Rosemaree Kurth was murdered. Photograph / NZ Herald

Justice Frater said Nelson had been assessed with a medium to high risk of violent reoffending but had much more work to do inside before a release could be considered.

"He has yet to engage in therapy specifically addressing the circumstances surrounding the murder of his caregiver and related trauma," she revealed.

"The psychologist who wrote the report for the Board said that although Mr Nelson has done exceedingly well in custody, there is no certainty about his ability to manage future interpersonal conflict outside the highly structured and familiar custodial environment.

"He needs to be tested - however, before that can happen, he needs intensive rehabilitation.

"Because of his age, Mr Nelson cannot undertake any group programmes - and that would not be advisable anyway."

Justice Frater said Nelson was currently serving his time in a Maori-focus unit Hawke's Bay regional prison, following a three-year stint in a youth justice facility in Rotorua.

He was doing well in prison.

"Mr Nelson has made considerable progress since being in custody," she said in her decision.

"He acknowledged that, at the beginning, he was 'troubled'.

"He is now described as being 'compliant and courteous' and having 'great leadership skills'.

"He was fortunate to have been offered great support and opportunities."

She said Nelson had been involved in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme and so far had received his bronze award and was working towards a silver.

He had used his time in custody to acquire over 130 NCEA unit standards, achieving NCEA levels 1 and 2.

He hoped to one day attend a tertiary institution.

"He works in the external grounds party and is said to have a strong work ethic," said Justice Frater.

"He is deeply involved in Tikanga Maori and speaks te Reo fluently - he is an accomplished carver and mentors offenders in the youth unit in Tikanga and kapa haka."

Justice Frater said the board supported Nelson's participation in regular psychological counselling and, in due course, other appropriate programmes and "interventions".

"Today parole is declined," she ruled.

Nelson's next hearing will be in March 2020, before the Extended Board.