Rapist-killer back behind bars
A convicted rapist and murderer has been recalled to prison for the second time for breaching his release conditions.
Michael Wayne October was convicted in 1995, alongside Samuel Kirner and Richard Lyall Genge, for raping and murdering 22-year-old Anne Marie Ellens in Christchurch the year before.
A pathologist said Ellens suffered a prolonged assault, in which she was held by her hair and had her head bashed against the concrete steps of Christchurch East School.
October, who now goes by the name Mikaere Oketopa, was released on parole in 2006, but was jailed again in 2011 for strangling and threatening to kill his girlfriend. He was released again in
August 2014.
A Parole Board spokesman confirmed yesterday that, following an application from the Department of Corrections, an interim recall order had been made and October was back in prison.
A hearing to determine whether or not to make a final recall order would be held between September 22 and October 7. October was listed as being wanted on the NZ Police website for breaching his release conditions. The listing warned October was ‘‘dangerous’’ and not to approach him.
October has consistently denied his involvement in the crime, despite initially offering a confession to police. There was no DNA evidence linking him to the scene. In 1996, the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by October against his convictions.