The country's youngest killer, Bailey Junior Kurariki, has agreed to serve out the remainder of his sentence.
The decision to not seek parole follows pleas from his mother, Lorraine West, during a visit to her son in Hawkes Bay last month.
Mrs West confirmed last week that Kurariki - who is serving a seven-year sentence for his part in the baseball bat killing of Auckland pizza delivery man Michael Choy in September 2001 - would not be attending his parole hearing on Wednesday.
Mrs West said it was the best thing for everyone that her son, who turns 16 in May, served out his sentence. "If he does it all then he will be left alone. It's what Mr Choy's mother wants," she said.
"If he does it all we can put it behind us and everyone will leave us alone. He [Kurariki] agreed."
However, since being sentenced for Mr Choy's brutal death in 2002, Kurariki has been far from the model inmate.
Kurariki was moved from the Manukau youth justice centre in August last year to Hawkes Bay after numerous violent episodes.
Mrs West admitted that her son had been misbehaving but claimed he was just "answering back and that", and hadn't caused major problems.
However, a source told the Herald on Sunday that Kurariki was a real troublemaker: "He's a ringleader and is leading all the other inmates in the wrong direction," the source said.
"He's also been throwing furniture around. He's a bit uncontrollable. He knows they [justice facility staff] can't do anything to him because of his age."
Kurariki was only 12 when he gave the signal for another teenager to hit Mr Choy with a baseball bat before they robbed him. The pair, along with four others, then left Mr Choy to die.
Mr Choy's mother Rita Croskery told the Herald on Sunday she was "pleased" Mrs West had "come to her senses" but said she was still not convinced Kurariki would seek parole again. He has another parole hearing in 12 months time.
"She [Mrs West] says all sorts of things. But I hope for the public's safety and for his [Kurariki's] sake he doesn't come before the Parole Board again," she said.
Parole Board spokesperson Steve Rendel said prisoners could elect not to attend their hearings but they would still go ahead. Kurariki - who served a year of his sentence while in remand - is due for release in September 2008.
Mrs Croskery said she was convinced Kurariki would re-offend if let out.
"If he was let out he'd destroy other families' lives, not one, several," she said.
"I'd be absolutely devastated if they let him out." Mr Choy's death, she said, still haunted her family.
"We go on the best we can but it's [Mr Choy's death] always with you," said Mrs Croskery.
THE STORY SO FAR
SEPTEMBER 2001: Kurariki, aged 12, and five other teenagers kill Auckland pizza delivery man Michael Choy.
SEPTEMBER 2002: Kurariki is convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.
JUNE 2003: Kurariki and one of his co-accused take their case to the Court of Appeal.
SEPTEMBER 2003: The Court of Appeal rejects the applications.
FEBRUARY 2004: Kurariki is moved from Christchurch's Kingslea Residential Centre to a facility in Manukau.
JULY 2004: Kurariki's request to take his case to the Privy Council is dismissed.
AUGUST 2004: Kurariki is moved from the Manukau facility to one in Hawkes Bay for causing trouble.
DECEMBER 2004: Kurariki's mother Lorraine West visits him and convinces him to serve his full sentence.
JANUARY 2005: Kurariki has a parole hearing scheduled.
SEPTEMBER 2008: Kurariki's final release date.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
Youngest killer will not apply for parole
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.