Two denied parole for gang murder

File photo / Greg Bowker

Two gang members jailed for the murder of a police witness have been denied parole.

Denis Richard Luke, Symon George Manihera, Robert Shane Maru and Brownie Marsh Mane are serving life sentences for shooting Christopher Crean on the doorstep of his New Plymouth home in January 1996.

Crean had earlier testified against Black Power gang members in court.

Luke and Manihera both sought parole of the first time last month having served 14 years in prison.

The Parole Board declined both applications and recommended the men attend a Violence Prevention Unit programme.

Mr Crean's family told the board they did not want Luke, who has already served a life sentence for another murder, back in Taranaki.

The board said Manihera was well behaved and a good worker, but he was still likely to reoffend.

Maru and Mane are not eligible for parole until late 2013.

- NZPA