Mother fights for dying son

Henry Matafeo's mother, Anne, has fought for his release for the past few months. Picture / Greg Bowker

Dying prisoner Henry Matafeo's mother felt relieved when her son made it through his teens without any major problems.

"He was good boy who loved drama," said Anne Matafeo. "He kept out of trouble."

But Mrs Matafeo's relief was cut short last year when she received a phone call from the police saying two of her sons had committed a violent aggravated robbery.

Matafeo, then aged 22, and his younger brother had gone into a Papakura service station and attacked the attendant about the head with a pipe. They then kicked him while he was on the ground and stole some cigarettes.

"I expected them to get into trouble at about 15 or 16. I didn't expect it once they got over 20," said Mrs Matafeo. "It was a bit of a shock that Henry could do something like that. I was crying all night and trying to figure out where I went wrong."

The Matafeo brothers were sentenced in October to five years' imprisonment for the aggravated robbery. But, in April this year the family learned that Henry Matafeo would never serve out his entire sentence. He was diagnosed with cancer and was last month given six to nine months to live.

Mrs Matafeo has spent the past few months fighting for a compassionate release so that her son can die at home, surrounded by family.

While she does not condone what he did, she can not leave him to die alone in custody.

Matafeo believes that his terminal cancer is punishment for his crime, but from his wheelchair in Auckland City Hospital he too is fighting for an early release. The 23-year-old told the Weekend Herald he was scared of the prospect of dying in custody.

While there have been mixed views on whether Matafeo should be released, he has found an ally in his victim. Mrs Matafeo said she had met the man on several occasions since the robbery and had been amazed by his attitude and support.

A recommendation on Matafeo's case was passed by the Department of Corrections to the Parole Board yesterday but has yet to be heard.

Mrs Matafeo has pushed for the matter to be resolved quickly. In the past week Matafeo's condition has deteriorated to the point he has been put on morphine.

A decision on the case is expected early next week.