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Convicted child molester Peter
Ellis has had a partial win with his petition to the Governor-General,
although his request for a pardon has been turned down for a second time. Justice Minister Tony Ryall announced yesterday that the Governor-General, Sir
Michael Hardie Boys, had turned down Ellis's
petition for a free pardon but had agreed to an alternative request to widen
the terms on which his case could be referred to the Court of Appeal. The news was welcomed by Ellis's
supporters and legal team, who see it as an important step on the road to his
freedom. Ellis's mother, Lesley, said she
and her son were thrilled with the decision. They had not expected a pardon
to be granted but were happy the appeal grounds had been widened. "This is the best we could
have hoped for," Mrs Ellis said. She visited her son in prison on
Sunday after returning from an overseas holiday. He broke the news to her
then but was still uncertain of the details. The Court of Appeal will hear
Ellis's case in Ellis's lawyer, Judith
Ablett-Kerr, QC, would not comment on the details of the report but said she
was pleased his appeal would be dealt with on a wider basis. "I am optimistic that it
signals the beginning of the end of Mr Ellis's
fight for justice," she said. It was the second time Ellis has
petitioned the Governor- General for the exercise of the royal prerogative of
mercy since he was convicted in 1993 on 16 charges of molesting children at
the Christchurch Civic Creche. It is also the second time his
case will be heard by the Court of Appeal. |
