Police appeal for media restraint over prison van death

Friends and family yesterday mourned Liam's death. Picture / Michael Craig

Police investigating the death of 17-year-old Liam Ashley after he was attacked in a prison van have expressed concern over the media's coverage of the case.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Cramer told reporters this afternoon they needed to think carefully about what they published "in terms of speculation and conjecture about who is responsible for Liam's death".

Liam suffered extensive brain damage from the beating he took en route from the North Shore District Court to the Mt Eden Remand Centre.

He died in Auckland Hospital at 10.45am on Friday after his parents decided to turn off his life support.

"I have read the papers and I am somewhat concerned that some of what I have seen in print may have a negative impact on any future Court proceedings to do with this homicide," Mr Cramer said.

"I have spent the best part of the morning with Liam's family who are still coming to terms with his death and I have given them - as I am giving you now - an assurance that there will be a resolution to this investigation.

He said police launched a homicide investigation on Thursday evening, before Liam was pronounced dead.

"It is the Police's responsibility to investigate and determine what the facts around his death are. Given that there were two others in the van compartment with Liam at the time he was assaulted, public and media could assume that there would be a swift resolution to this investigation.

"I and my team have to collect evidence and, in the eventuality of an arrest, put a robust and watertight case to the Court.

Mr Cramer said whoever went on trial over Liam's death needed to be given a fair trial.

Yesterday, Liam's parents Ian and Lorraine Ashley, confirmed it was their decision to press criminal charges against their son after he took their vehicle without permission.

Liam had been offered bail on the theft charge, but his parents decided he should spend some time behind bars and experience "the serious effects of breaking the law".

In a prepared statement, Liam's parents said they were devastated by their son's death. The motivation for contacting police had been to stop Liam from getting into more serious trouble after a series of "minor misdemeanours'.

Liam was the youngest of four children and worked as a car cleaner at Milano International, a car importing company run by his father.

Questions Liam's family wants answered

Liam Ashley's family are demanding answers from authorities to these 10 questions:

* Why and how was Liam allowed to die in the care of the NZ justice system?

* Who is directly and indirectly responsible for his death and what charges will be laid?

* What is the Department of Corrections documented procedures for the transfer of remand prisoners?

* Are those procedures adequate and if so, were they correctly followed?

* What risk assessment was completed on Liam and the others before being transported within the same vehicle?

* Why was a 17-year-old with no history of serious crime or violence transported unattended, directly with what has to be other more serious offenders?

* Why is Chubb Security contracted to transfer remand prisoners and not the police?

* Are Chubb Security systems, controls, procedures and vehicles adequate?

* What monitoring is conducted during transfer to ensure the safety of the passengers?

* What action will be taken to ensure this cannot happen again?

- NZPA / NZHERALD STAFF