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Robert Charles / Things
Jordan Nelson, then 13, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in New Plymouth Superior Court for the murder of Rosemaree Kurth in 2012. He will be released on parole later this month.
One of New Zealand’s youngest killers has been granted parole, having served less than half his sentence.
Jordan Nelson shot his caretaker Rosemaree Kurth while she was sitting doing a puzzle at her kitchen table in April 2012. He was sentenced to 18 years behind bars for the crime.
Kurth, 50, was a partner of Nelson’s grandfather, Kerry Lock. The teenager shot him at his rural Okoki home in northern Taranaki after an argument about not being able to visit his mother.
Lock was not at home when Kurth was killed and he returned home to find her body on the floor of a vacant room.
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After the shooting, Nelson stole money and a car and drove 25 miles to Waitara, where he was later arrested.
He was 13 at the time. Now 21, he will be released on December 9.
His release follows a Board of Parole hearing last month, in which it was decided that Nelson could safely integrate into society.
It comes with strict conditions, including electronic monitoring and the prohibition of possessing or using any type of firearm, explosives or ammunition.
He will also be subject to many other conditions until April 15, 2030, the end date of his sentence, including a ban from entering the Taranaki or Northland region without the written approval of a probation officer.
Cameron Burnell / Stuff
Police attend the shooting site in the remote rural Okoki area of northern Taranaki in 2012.
Last month’s hearing was Nelson’s third appearance before the board. He did not seek release in his first appearance in April 2018 and was denied parole in his second in March this year.
In March, the board said Nelson was “a little confident” in his belief that he could deal with life abroad.
At the time, the board was concerned that there would be problems with the address where he planned to stay. He was also in a relationship with a woman who was 15 years older than him, and he planned to help raise their two children.
The board said you should focus on releasing yourself to work, learning to cope with a variety of circumstances, and considering supported accommodations.
The decision released after last month’s hearing said Nelson had ended the relationship and was not seeking another one at the moment.
In the decision, panel chair Mary More said Nelson had been participating in the release to work program and had saved enough money to buy a car.
More said the victims had made presentations to the board and discussed with Nelson in detail.
A psychological evaluation was conducted and the board was told that Nelson had “increased in maturity in recent months.”
More said Nelson told the board that he “has regrets” and that he wanted to write “letters of apology” to the victims and see them in person for a restorative justice meeting.
Victims have yet to indicate if they are interested in participating.
“Mr. Nelson said that he imagines the victims are raw and numb, and still suffering, and accepts what they have to say,” More said in the decision.
“He said he can do the best he can to stand up, and when the time comes he would like the opportunity to apologize to the victims.”
