Latest news with #manslaughter
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Gap to close in SA's prison placement rules after plea from murder victim's family
A gap in South Australia's prison placement guidelines is set to close after murder victim Michael Purse's family pushed for change after learning one of his killers had been moved to a low-security facility. Michael's father Jeffrey Purse previously told the media of his devastation at learning that Edwin James Hinrichsen, who was convicted of his son's manslaughter in 2023, had been moved from Yatala Labour Prison to Cadell Training Centre in the state's Riverland. Hinrichsen was sentenced beside David Graham Young — both of whom pleaded guilty to manslaughter and were subsequently ordered to serve more than 11 years behind bars. A third man, Mark-Bry Andrew Leedham, was found guilty of murdering the 32-year-old and sentenced earlier this year to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 28 years — including four years remaining on an earlier jail term. Michael was killed in February 2019 at a unit in Kilburn, in Adelaide's northern suburbs, after he went missing from the Adelaide CBD. His remains have never been found. Mr Purse told the ABC on Wednesday he and his family were "quite stunned" when they learned that Hinrichsen was serving the remainder of his sentence at a low-security prison farm. Upon hearing the news, which was around the same time Leedham was sentenced, Mr Purse spoke to the media, contacted authorities and wrote a letter to the Minister for Correctional Services Emily Bourke. Hinrichsen was subsequently moved to a medium-security facility and a review into his placement is now underway. "The results of that enquiry found that there are gaps in their guidelines and SOPs [Standard Operating Procedures], and therefore, there was no specific exclusions of persons like Hinrichsen to be not admitted into low-security facilities," Mr Purse said on Wednesday. Minister Bourke said she was "grateful to Jeffrey for sharing his story… and advocating for improvements in our justice system". "We listened to his feedback and brought Jeffrey and the department together, enabling an outcome where all recommendations put forward by the review process will be implemented," she said. "Importantly, this includes giving a stronger victim perspective in the case management of serious offenders. "Community safety is paramount and outcomes of this review will strengthen processes in place, with greater oversight on placement decisions made." Mr Purse said he and his family were "very pleased with the result" and compared it to "a bit of a David versus Goliath battle". A spokesperson from the Department for Correctional Services said it took "concerns of victims very seriously" and review panel "put forward recommendations which will be implemented". "These changes will help ensure the department has a stronger victim focus relating to the case management of serious offenders," it said. "Offenders in this category will have a higher degree of oversight prior to any transfer decision made."
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- RNZ News
Elizabeth Smith pleads guilty to manslaughter in dispute over belongings
The High Court at Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers An Auckland accountant previously charged with the murder of a man after driving her vehicle into him during a dispute, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Elizabeth Lynn Smith pleaded guilty before Justice Downs at the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, after the Crown reduced the charge to manslaughter this week following a period of discussions. Smith and the victim Dean Fifield had previously lived together and were involved in an ongoing dispute over items Smith had claimed ownership over but were stored at Fifield's house, an agreed summary of facts stated. On 13 June 2024 Smith went to Fifield's house in West Auckland to recover property, with two associates who were there to help her. Smith and her associates got involved in a dispute with Fifield over the items in the driveway of the house. Smith's associates later reversed out of the driveway and stopped on the roadside, while Smith's car remained in the driveway facing the road. At one point, Fifield followed the associate's vehicle on foot and "began punching the associate's stationery vehicle with his closed fist, causing damage to the windscreen," according to the summary of facts. Subsequently, Smith drove her vehicle directly into Fifield, which propelled him onto the bonnet before falling under the front of Smith's vehicle. Smith continued to drive a short distance with Mr Fifield underneath her vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by attending paramedics. Smith is set to be sentenced in August. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
9 hours ago
- RNZ News
Elizabeth Smith pleads guilty to manslaughter in property dispute
The High Court at Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers An Auckland accountant previously charged with the murder of a man after driving her vehicle into him during a dispute, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Elizabeth Lynn Smith pleaded guilty before Justice Downs at the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, after the Crown reduced the charge to manslaughter this week following a period of discussions. Smith and the victim Dean Fifield had previously lived together and were involved in an ongoing dispute over items Smith had claimed ownership over but were stored at Fifield's house, an agreed summary of facts stated. On 13 June 2024 Smith went to Fifield's house in West Auckland to recover property, with two associates who were there to help her. Smith and her associates got involved in a dispute with Fifield over the items in the driveway of the house. Smith's associates later reversed out of the driveway and stopped on the roadside, while Smith's car remained in the driveway facing the road. At one point, Fifield followed the associate's vehicle on foot and "began punching the associate's stationery vehicle with his closed fist, causing damage to the windscreen," according to the summary of facts. Subsequently, Smith drove her vehicle directly into Fifield, which propelled him onto the bonnet before falling under the front of Smith's vehicle. Smith continued to drive a short distance with Mr Fifield underneath her vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by attending paramedics. Smith is set to be sentenced in August. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Associated Press
12 hours ago
- Associated Press
Woman who killed baby in 1986 sentenced to probation in cold case DNA probe
A woman who killed her infant son in 1986 in Connecticut and went on to live a seemingly quiet, normal life with her family in Florida for three decades was sentenced Tuesday to five years of probation. Janita Phillips, 65, of Lake Mary, Florida, was charged with murder in 2021, after police said new DNA testing linked her to the crime. She pleaded guilty to a lesser manslaughter charge in April. The probation sentence was unusual in a child homicide case, but warranted because a peer-reviewed psychological assessment concluded Phillips experienced 'extreme emotional distress' at the time of the killing, both the prosecutor and defense lawyer said. Judge Gary White in Stamford, Connecticut, called it a case deserving mercy. When Phillips killed the infant, she and her husband had just moved into an apartment in Greenwich, Connecticut, with their eldest child after being homeless and her husband had told her he didn't want another baby, her lawyer, Stephen DeLeo, said. The couple, who remain together and have been married for 42 years, were stressed about money and their ability to feed their family, DeLeo said. Phillips told police she hid the pregnancy from her husband and other relatives, an arrest warrant said. Police said her husband did not know about the baby's death and had no involvement. Phillips and her husband have three children who are now adults. One of their sons is disabled and resides at an assistant living facility, while her husband has medical problems and she takes care of him, DeLeo said in an interview. 'Incarcerating her would serve no purpose at this time,' DeLeo said, adding that this case was Phillips' only brush with the law in her life. He also said she lost her insurance industry job because of the case. Phillips cried during the sentencing hearing and said she had a 'deep sense of regret.' She also said she took full responsibility, DeLeo said. Under her sentence, if she violates probation she could face up to 20 years in prison. The newborn child, named Baby John by police, was found dead in a garbage truck on May 16, 1986, after workers had emptied a dumpster at the apartment building in Greenwich where Phillips lived, authorities said. The chief medical examiner's office determined the baby was strangled shortly after being born and ruled his death a homicide. Phillips and her family moved to Florida shortly after the baby's death, police said. Greenwich police said they used newly available DNA testing in 2020 that linked evidence found at the crime scene to the boy's mother. Police took items out of the trash and recycling at Phillips' Florida home in 2020. DNA testing showed Phillips and her husband were the parents of the infant, authorities said.
CTV News
13 hours ago
- CTV News
Saskatoon man sentenced to 13 years for killing roommate with hammer
A Saskatoon man who killed his roommate with a hammer has been handed a 13-year sentence. Steffen Pohl, 35, was found dead inside his Idylwyld Drive North home at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 30, 2023. His roommate, Nader Butter, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. According to an agreed statement of facts, Butter was impaired by alcohol and magic mushrooms when he killed Pohl. During a sentencing hearing in June, the Crown sought a sentence of 11.3 years, factoring in credit for time Butter had already spent in custody. The defence argued for a significantly lighter sentence: one day in jail followed by three years of probation. Defence lawyer Chris Murphy said the case hinges on Butter's moral culpability, arguing that without the magic mushrooms 'this would not have happened.' When delivering her sentencing decision Tuesday morning, Justice Natasha Crooks ruled Butter had moral culpability because he was aware of his behaviour and actions. She also said intoxication does not diminish or mitigate that culpability. Crooks said Butter had the wherewithal to calm himself down and interact with officers after Pohl called police to report his roommate was trying to kill him. She said Butter was aware of rising tensions, noting that he called his landlord throughout the night to report things were 'getting out of hand.' Butter also followed his landlord's directions to call 911 and report Pohl's death, Crooks said. 'I am satisfied Mr. Butter was aware of his behaviour throughout the night,' she said. Crooks cited several aggravating factors, including the fact that Pohl was killed in his own home and struck multiple times with a hammer. She also noted that Butter is considered a very high risk to reoffend. With credit for time served, Butter has nine years and four months remaining on his 13-year sentence. At the end of the hearing, Crooks spoke directly to Butter, urging him to utilize resources while in custody and address his alcoholism. 'If you do not address your alcoholism there is no question you will be back in court,' she said. -With files from Laura Woodward
