Family angry at help for killer

A double murderer has received weekly ACC counselling for trauma and the family of his victims is outraged he is set to get more.

Gresham Marsh is serving a life sentence for the 1994 murders of elderly couple John and Josie Harrisson at their Te Akau, Waikato, home.

Marsh carried out the murders with Leith Ray. Last month the Parole Board declined the pair parole for a further 12 months.

In its report dated November 15, a recommendation is made for trauma counselling for Marsh to resume.

It does not say what the counselling is for but the Waikato Times has been told it is not related to the murders.

Marsh told the board he had received weekly sessions with an ACC counsellor, which were beneficial.

The Harrissons' daughter, Margaret Jamieson, told the Waikato Times she was disgusted Marsh was receiving counselling.

"We have never received any victim support. We were left off the Victim Notification Register in 1994 because of what we were told was a glitch."

Mrs Jamieson said the family organised their own counselling but this year - 10 years after the murders - they were contacted and asked if they wanted some.

Meanwhile, Marsh's family are at a loss to explain what traumatic event he is getting counselling for.

Rowene Marsh-Potaka said she believed her brother was trying to rob the system again and he had no remorse for what he did.

"There is no traumatic incident that I'm aware of. The only thing I can think of that would require counselling is what he did to the Harrisson family.

"I have dedicated my life to keeping my brother inside in order to save another victim's life. Mark my words, if he is released he will kill again."

Sensible Sentencing Trust national spokesman Garth McVicar said he was disgusted to hear about the counselling when the family received none.

ACC spokesman Fraser Folster said the corporation provided counselling for trauma only when directly associated with a physical injury.

Parole Board spokesman Steve Rendle said the board could not discuss individual cases.

- NZPA