Carlos Namana is serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of Constable Murray Stretch 19 years ago.
Compassion.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary definition of the word is "pity, inclining one to help or be merciful".
The words of the former partner of a slain police officer encapsulate that.
Claire Horton, of Tauranga, says she will probably never forgive Carlos Namana for brutally beating and kicking to death her then-partner, Constable Murray Stretch, 19 years ago.
Despite that, she feels his killer, who is serving a life sentence, has done his time and should be released.
In a decision released this week, the New Zealand Parole Board found Namana had used his time in prison well, but there was a risk he could re-offend.
It is common, and completely understandable, for victim's families to oppose moves to grant parole to inmates convicted of violent crimes.
It's a valid response towards someone who has caused unthinkable emotional harm and distress - especially if the perpetrator has shown no signs of remorse or any willingness to change.
The latter doesn't, on the face of it, appear to be the case with Namana.
Now 38, he has held a minimum security classification since July 2014 and has been misconduct-free since the beginning of 2012.
He has completed a drug treatment programme, achieved some unit standards in subjects as varied as introductory furniture making, carpentry, horticulture, engineering and laundry work and is currently working with the Puppies in Prison programme and resides in the inner self-care unit.
Horton met him about six years ago, as part of a restorative justice process and felt he was trying hard to change.
To her credit, Horton can see past Namana's horrific crime, and the pain he has caused.
She says she hopes he isn't being kept in jail longer just because he had killed a police officer.
"Would he have been given parole had Murray not been a policeman? If that's the case, that's not okay. No one deserves to die whether they are a butcher or a policeman."
Essentially, Horton is expressing concern about whether or not the killer of her former partner is treated fairly by the justice system.
It's a remarkable example of compassion.
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