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       Derek Bromley released on parole after four decades behind bars for
       murder of Stephen Docoza
        
 (HTM) Source
        
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       ## In short:
        
       Derek Bromley, who was convicted of killing Stephen Docoza, has been
       released on parole on Wednesday after spending 40 years in prison.
        
       The parole board previously said Bromley was granted parole because of
       his good behaviour in jail.
        
       ## What's next?
        
       Bromley will have to comply with his parole conditions.
        
        **WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised
       that this article may contain images and names of people who have
       died.**
        
       An Adelaide man who has spent four decades in jail for a murder he
       maintains he never committed has been released on parole.
        
       Derek Bromley was given a life sentence for the murder of Stephen
       Docoza, whose body was found in the River Torrens in 1984.
        
       Bromley, a Narungga Ngarrindjeri man, who is aged in his 60s, was
       reported to be the longest-serving Indigenous prisoner in the country.
        
       John Karpany was also convicted over Mr Docoza's murder and was
       released on parole in 2004.
        
       Bromley has made repeated attempts to overturn his conviction, but
       last December the High Court ruled against re-opening his case.
        
       In March this year, the state's parole board granted Bromley parole
       because of his "exemplary" behaviour in prison in recent years.
        
       Parole Board chair Frances Nelson previously said the board was
       convinced he did not present a risk to the community if he was
       released on parole.
        
       South Australia's Parole Board chair Frances Nelson KC made the
       announcement on Wednesday morning.(ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)
        
       "His institutional behaviour has been very good, we are convinced that
       he will not present a risk to the community if he is released on
       parole," she said.
        
       "He continues to maintain his innocence.
        
       "He's entitled to do that, it's not for us to retry the issue."
        
       The ABC has contacted the Docoza family via Commissioner for Victims'
       Rights Sarah Quick, who said the family did not wish to comment on
       this occasion.
        
       In April this year, the Docoza family released a statement, speaking
       of their heartache after Stephen's death.
        
       Stephen Docoza was killed in 1984.
        
       "Stephen, raised single-handedly by his father Milenko after the
       untimely death of his wife, was a gentle soul who grew up to be a kind
       and hardworking man, cherished by his family and friends," the
       statement read.
        
       "The tragic aftermath of the crime left Stephen's two children without
       a father and his partner so overwhelmed by grief that she later took
       her own life."
        
       ## If you or anyone you know needs help:
        
         * Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
         * Lifeline on 13 11 14
         * Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line 13YARN on 
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         * Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
         * Headspace on 1800 650 890
         * ReachOut at au.reachout.com
         * MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
         * QLife 1800 184 527
        
       They had also said they were concerned ahead of Bromley's release and
       disappointed with media coverage of the case.
        
       "The family of Stephen Docoza, the victim, remains firmly convinced of
       Derek Bromley's guilt, despite media portrayals suggesting his
       innocence," the statement read.
        
       Supporters Robyn Milera and Graham Archer met with Bromley outside of
       the Adelaide pre-release centre on Wednesday morning.
        
       Ms Milera said Bromley was relieved after 40 years of consistently
       contesting that he was not guilty of the crime.
        
       "At the same time it's 40 years of having to negotiate the environment
       of prison — which has been hugely traumatic," Ms Milera said.
        
       "I've seen him take everything with courage and I know when he steps
       out today, he's a man who is very reasonable, compassionate and I have
       so many evidences that his desire is to come out and to do good.
        
       "There is a sense of — there is some opportunity to get on with life."
        
       Derek Bromley with supporter Robyn Milera after he was released on
       parole.(ABC News: Bethanie Alderson)
        
       Mr Archer said there is still a strong belief that he should have
       never been convicted in the first place.
        
       "Had he not been convicted we can't guess what his life would be like,
       because that choice was taken from him," Mr Archer said.
        
        
        
        
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