A convicted killer could be released from jail because he doesn’t know where his victim is buried.
Father-of-two Gregg Duffy, 37, was beaten to death with a shifting spanner and tyre iron in July 2015 by a group of men.
Nelson John Patea was sentenced to eight years prison with parole eligibility on January 11 2019 after pleading guilty to manslaughter in May 2018.
Nelson John Patea (pictured) was sentenced to eight years prison with parole eligibility on January 11 2019 after pleading guilty to manslaughter in May 2018
His brother former Bandidos bikie Lionel, who has also been convicted for the murder of his former girlfriend Tara Brown, pleaded guilty to murder and will remain in prison until 2048.
In a parole hearing last month, Nelson Patea was asked if he knew what happened to Mr Duffy’s body, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.
To be granted parole Patea was required to assist authorities to locate Mr Duffy’s body.
In a statement handed down on Thursday, the parole board decided Patea helped to his best ability.
‘The Board is satisfied … given that the applicant did not have the capacity to give co-operation in the investigation offence to identify the victim’s location,’ the parole board said.
Patea’s lawyer Campbell MacCallum said his client would apply for parole next year.
Father-of-two Gregg Duffy (pictured), 37, was beaten to death with a shifting spanner and tyre iron in July 2015 by a group of men
‘Extremely pleased with the fair hearing we received from the parole board. They were attentive, thorough and clearly based their decision on all of the information available as opposed to any bias to anyone party,’ he said.
‘This type of decision raises confidence for inmates caught up in these processes.’
Patea’s sentencing revealed he was unaware Mr Duffy was killed until the day after the assault.
The two brothers, Liam Bliss, Aaron John Crawford and Clinton Stockman, took Mr Duffy to an isolated area where they bashed him, over a row about a cannabis debt.
After the brutal bashing Crawford and Stockman set fire to Mr Duffy’s body on a remote property in northern NSW.
Mr Duffy’s body has never been found.
His brother former Bandidos bikie Lionel, who has also been convicted for the murder of his former girlfriend Tara Brown, pleaded guilty to the murder of Mr Duffy