Joey Barton's racist killer brother could be freed 17 years after murdering student

dailystar.co.uk:

Joey Barton's racist killer brother has been granted parole from prison and could be back on the streets as early as next month.Murderer Michael Barton was jailed for 18 years in 2006 for taking part in the ice pick stabbing of 18-year-old Anthony Walker.In February of this year, Barton, 33, was moved to HMP Thorn Cross, which is an open jail in Cheshire - and now the parole board have announced that he will be freed, following a hearing that was held last month.

It means that Barton could be a free man by October despite taking part in the sickening crime.A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: “We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Michael Barton following an oral hearing.

Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.“A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead-up to an oral hearing.It continued: “Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.“It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.