The first murderer to be convicted using DNA evidence has been released from prison after serving 33 years for murder and rape.
Colin Pitchfork, 61, was charged for murdering and raping two teenagers, Lynda Mann and Dawn Ashworth in the 1980s. After assessing whether it was safe to grant him release, the Parole board panels released Mr. Pitchfork.
The Lord Chief Justice said at the time: “From the point of view of the safety of the public I doubt if he should ever be released.”
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However, Pitchfork’s 30-year-minimum sentence was reduced to 28 years on appeal
In a statement, the Parole Board said: “Legislation dictates that a panel’s decision must be solely focused on what risk a prisoner may pose on release and whether that risk can be managed in the community.
“As made clear in the reconsideration decision, the release was supported by all of the Secretary of State’s witnesses during Mr. Pitchfork’s review.”
One of the parents of the victims expressed disappointment over the Parole`s verdict to release the man who had killed her 15-year-old daughter.
She said: “I’ve had 33 years of it and it’s all been said and as far as I’m concerned he’s going to be out in amongst the public, so it speaks for itself.”
Dawn’s uncle Philip Musson added: “It sends the message that child rapists, killers, murderers can at some point in time resume their lives when they themselves have deprived their victims of their lives.
“That’s an unacceptable position as far as I’m concerned.”
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Lynda’s mother and sister fear that Pitchfork will “kill again”.
However, there are still suggestions that Mr. Pitchfork`s release was “irrational” as the Parole Board panel had failed to give sufficient reasons” as to why it accepted the evidence given by professional witnesses.
