Dean Wickliffe Pictures released by Spring Hill corrections.
Photo: Provided
Dean Wickliffe’s lawyer, who is on hunger strike after he says he was beaten by guards in Spring Hill prison, is asking for his immediate release by citing health and human rights concerns.
The 77 -year -old was arrested on March 5 after being found in living in his car a violation of his conditional freedom conditions after being homeless.
Wickliffe spent a life inside and out of prison, starting in 1972 for the murder of a Wellington jeweler during an armed robbery and a list of other offenses, including drug and firearm crimes for many years.
Dean Wickliffe is led by police after being convicted of murder in May 1972
Photo: Alexander Turnbull Library Collection
His lawyer Annette Sykes told RNZ Wickliffe to pay for his crimes and should be treated with dignity.
“The fact that he was found with two stray cats he was taking care of this car shows that this man is not selfish. He is really concerned about the least, perhaps sought in our society – the poor and the neglected. He tried to do it alone in his own way.”
Wickliffe has been on hunger strike since March 10 and Sykes said he was getting more and more distressed and his health deteriorated.
“Among the moment he was transferred from Tauranga police cells [to Sping Hill] There was a chain of events that resulted in which my client was crushed on a concrete floor, receiving significant injuries received medical assistance as a result of the injuries that were inflicted on him and exacerbated his existing medical conditions. “
He has a cardiac condition and was in blood dilumes as a result of a heart disease he was suffering, Sykes said.
Sykes also states that his client has lost 17 kgs since the beginning of his hunger strike and that an independent doctor was concerned about the effect of hunger strike on his organs.
“This is an extraordinary situation. He is a kaumātua. He was violently abused and there were no measures taken to ensure that he has legal advice properly, as he is entitled.
“Making a hunger strike when you are at the age of 40 is quite different from hunger strike in your 70s. He did it to draw attention to injustice, and we must do everything we can to ensure that this injustice is resolved.” Sykes said.
The interim commissioner’s custody services that Kym Grierson confirmed to RNZ on Tuesday that an investigation was underway in the alleged incident.
Grierson said in a statement that Wickliffe was drinking liquids but refusing to eat food.
“Our health and custody team is working together to support it and encourage it to resume food. His health is being monitored by the team, including registered nurses and the prison doctor, and he receives a variety of well -being and support services, including contact with local kaumatu.”
Sykes, a longtime lawyer, said the case of Wickliffe “is not a daily occurrence.”
“This is an extreme situation, and we must take adequate measures to protect the obligations of dignity and human life with this individual and no matter who he is.”
“From a perspective of Tīkanga Maori, we, like Awawa, would be taking care of our Kaumatua in a much more dignified and honorable way than what seems to be happening at the moment.”
Sykes said that since the news from the Wickliffe hunger strike has been a flood of support from Mana Whenua Tainui, politicians, prisoner defense groups and people on social media.
“It is an issue that is singing to a resolution, considering his age and the circumstances of the alleged inimulation he is facing, but more fundamentally asking us to observe human rights violations and how we prevent them from continuing.”
“Let’s fight for your freedom, your freedoms for which we are fighting.” Sykes said.
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