Convicted killer Scott Watson makes another bid for freedom

Convicted killer Scott Watson is appearing before the parole board in Christchurch today. Photo / File

Convicted killer Scott Watson is appearing before the Parole Board in Christchurch today.

Watson was convicted in 1999 for killing Olivia Hope, 17, and Ben Smart, 21, in the Marlborough Sounds and the parole board will today assess whether he poses a risk to the community, a parole board spokesman said.

Watson is appearing before the board at Rolleston Prison in Christchurch.

The board declined media access to the hearing and a decision is unlikely to be available today.

The victims' families will be given the decision before it is publicly released.

Watson was sentenced to a minimum of 19 years in prison.

He first appeared before the board last year but parole was denied because a "very high risk" that Watson would commit violent crimes if released from prison.