‘Low risk’ convicted child killer gets parole
Former chief justice dies
A man who killed his two-yearold daughter will be paroled this month after serving one third of his sentence
Taranaki man Philip Murray Kinraid was jailed for four years and three months after pleading guilty to manslaughter. He became eligible for parole in July.
Esme Claire Kinraid died on June 26, 2015, after her father held her down to stop her from getting up as he tried to settle her for bed, holding her face down on a pillow. When he left the room, he said he believed the toddler was breathing but when he checked on her hours later, she was not moving. Attempts to resuscitate Esme were unsuccessful.
A report prepared for parole board members was described as ‘‘favourable’’ and outlined how Kinraid was deemed a low risk and had a new partner, an approved place to stay and a strong network of support in the community.
Kinraid will leave prison this month and be paroled to an address in the South Island. Retired chief justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum has died, aged 87. He was a reformer whose initiatives included dropping the wearing of traditional wigs as part of standard dress in the higher courts. Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias said he had modernised courts administration during the 10 years he was chief justice, up to 1999. ‘‘He was held in the highest affection by the judges who served under him both for his leadership and for his personal warmth and kindness,’’ Elias said. English was a second language for Eichelbaum who was born in Germany in 1931, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1938. He went to Hutt Valley High School, before studying law at Victoria University. Eichelbaum died in Auckland on Wednesday.