Brother of Barlow feels only relief | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

The Wairarapa brother of convicted killer John Barlow, who is to be freed from jail after serving 16 years for the 1994 murder of father and son Gene and Eugene Thomas in Wellington, said yesterday he was relieved rather than elated over the parole board's decision.

Journalist Hugh Barlow was at the board hearing that decided to free his older brother and, although "very pleased" with the outcome said it had taken 15 years since John Barlow was convicted to finally get some good news.

John Barlow has always insisted he was innocent, a view shared by his brother, who supported him from the outset and fought for his release.

Hugh Barlow said the family had never wavered in its absolute belief that John had not killed the two men.

He said all legal avenues had been exhausted in trying to prove that.

"The only thing we can hope for now is that someone will come forward, or new evidence will be found that will lead to his conviction being quashed."

John Barlow was denied parole on three occasions before the board agreed on Tuesday to free him.

Parole conditions include that he lives at a location approved by his probation officer, does not possess guns and that he is not to contact former prison inmates or the family of his victims for five years.

John Barlow and his wife, Angela, are expected to live on the Kapiti Coast.

His brother said the immediate plan was to allow John Barlow to come home "and settle down for a bit" and then to perhaps arrange a family welcome home.Don Farmer