The man who brutally murdered three people at the Mt Wellington RSA has been jailed for 33 years without parole - the longest ever non-parole sentence without parole. William Bell - who is 25 - was earlier found guilty of murdering Wayne Johnson, Mary Hobson, and Bill Absolum at the Mt Wellington-Panmure RSA in December 2001 and the attempted murder of Susan Couch. His acomplice, Darnell Tupe has been jailed for 12 years for manslaughter. Our reporter Kirsty Jones was in the High Court in Auckland for the sentencing - she joins us now. LIVE WITH DROPINS
I asked prosecutor Simon Moore why Bell deserved to get 33 years without parole. PREREC
Bell was on parole when he committed the murders. Five months earlier he'd been released from prison having served part of a five-year sentence for aggravated robbery, prompting questions about how the probation service handled his parole. Now, the Corrections Department has released a report highlighting [illegible] gaps and mistakes in Bell's case management by inexperienced staff. It reveals special parole conditions, including pyschological and alcohol and drug assessments, were never carried out, checks were never made on his address and the probation officer had no idea he was doing work experience at the RSA. Joining us now is the General Manager of the Probation and Offenders Service Katrina Casey. LIVE
Meanwhile, a critical Ministry of Justice report has just been released on the handling of another high-profile case, the killing of Auckland man Michael Choy. Mr Choy died in 2001 after he was attacked with a softball bat while delivering pizza. Six teenagers were sentenced over his death including 13 year old Bailey Kurariki. But today's report is criticising Child Youth and Family and the Police for the way they dealt with the young killers and highlights systemic problems. Our Social Issues Correspondent Leigh-Anne Wiig joins us now. LIVE
Justice Minister Phil Goff joins us now. LIVE
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Returning to our lead story - and the longest ever non-parole sentence imposed in New Zealand, with the jailing of convicted RSA triple killer William Bell to 33 years behind bars. Bell was earlier found guilty of murdering Wayne Johnson, Mary Hobson, and Bill Absolum at the Mt Wellington-Panmure RSA in December 2001 and the attempted murder of Susan Couch.
Sentencing Bell in the High Court in Auckland today, Justice Potter described him as a cold-blooded and ruthless killer whose crimes had outraged, appalled and frightened the community.
But what led William Bell to committ such carnage - Kirsty Jones reports. PKGE
The former Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has admitted there were inconsistencies in the management of the scampi fishery that may have been unfair to some fishermen. The Primary Production select committee is investigating claims of corruption and mismanagement in the 100-million-dollar fishery. The Ministry of Fisheries is strongly dismissing allegations that two top officials were involved in corrupt activities that will see in one company in particular, Simunovich, (si-MIN-o-vitch) receiving the lion's share of scampi harvesting rights. Our fisheries reporter, Jane Patterson has been at the hearing and joins me now.. LIVE WITH DROPINS
Overseas now - concern over North Korea's resumption of its nuclear programme has deepened with the CIA revealing the country has a functioning nuclear arsenal and an untested ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States. The dramatic revelation came during testimony to the American senate CIA chief George Tenet. At the same time, the International Atomic Energy Agency is accusing North Korea of chronic non-compliance with global nuclear agreements and is sending the issue to the UN Security Council for consideration.
Our Washington correspondent Nina Maria Potts reports. PKGE
New Zealanders are spending more and more on shopping sprees, with retail spending increasing nearly eight percent last year to reach nearly 50 billion dollars. On average each person spent 13 thousand dollars in 2002, with sales in December last year more than 7 percent higher than the same month in 2001. The Retailers Association executive officer Barry Hellberg says spending was only 40 million dollars short of the 50 billion mark. PREREC
[illegible] is baking the normally green Manawatu - and there's little sign of rain to ease the increasingly dry conditions. Water restrictions are already in place in many communities, along with a total fire ban. Our Manawatu regional reporter Jill Galloway looks at the impact the big dry is having on Manawatu people. PKGE
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