Peter Holmes, murderer of Jamie Ellis, released from prison by Parole Board

In a controversial decision, Peter Richard Holmes, the man convicted of murdering Jamie Ellis in 2011, has been released from prison after 14 years. The New Zealand Parole Board ruled that Holmes no longer poses a risk to the community and has met the criteria for release under strict conditions. This decision has sparked debate across the country, with many questioning whether justice has been served in this tragic case.

Jamie Ellis was lured away from a party in 2011 and brutally beaten to death with a wheel brace by Holmes and two other men, Dean and Mark Carruthers. The incident occurred after a false accusation that Ellis had abused a woman at the party. Although the accusation was later proven to be untrue, the men, believing the claim, took Ellis for a drive and subjected him to a violent attack that left him with 62 wounds before his body was dumped in a bay.

Holmes was the lead attacker and was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012 with a minimum non-parole period of 12 years and six months. However, after years of rehabilitation and demonstrating a change in behavior, the Parole Board has determined that he is now at a low risk of reoffending. This assessment was supported by prison staff, who described him as someone who has genuinely changed and shown care for others.

Holmes has completed several guided releases, including spending nights outside the prison, and has been assessed as being able to reintegrate into society with the right support. A support person who attended his parole hearing noted the "massive change" in Holmes since his imprisonment. The board emphasized that his risk can be safely managed in the community, provided he adheres to strict conditions.

Holmes has been released to an undisclosed location and is now subject to a number of lifelong conditions, including a curfew from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (except in emergencies), electronic monitoring, and a ban on alcohol, drugs, and psychoactive substances. He must also avoid contact with members of the White Power Creed gang, Ellis’ family, or his co-offenders. Any intimate relationships must be disclosed to his probation officer.

During his parole hearing, Holmes expressed remorse for his actions, admitting that he had acted out of "righteous anger" and believed, at the time, that his actions were justified. He described the use of the wheel brace as the point where things went too far. Holmes has also acknowledged that his offending was driven by a desire to please others and was exacerbated by substance abuse.

The decision to release Holmes has drawn mixed reactions. While some argue that his rehabilitation and compliance with rules justify his release, others question whether the justice system has adequately accounted for the gravity of his crime. The case of Jamie Ellis remains a painful reminder of the consequences of violence and the importance of ensuring that justice is not only done, but seen to be done.