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'To protect the community': Killer to stay behind bars for 1997 murder of ex-girlfriend

Otago Daily Times Online News·Wednesday, 13 May 2026·20 days ago
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After nearly 30 years behind bars a Dunedin killer still poses an undue risk to the community, the Parole Board says.  Gareth Lawrence Smither, 54, was jailed for life in 1997 for the murder of his ex-girlfriend 26-year-old Karen Jacobs.  He stabbed her more than 30 times then attacked her with a garden spade, all while her young daughter was in the house.  Last year, Smither was declined parole and the board sought a psychiatric report in preparation for his most recent hearing.  However, panel convener Kathryn Snook said that assessment had still not been undertaken, due to Te Whatu Ora’s “capacity and limited resources”.  “Given the role of Mr Smither’s mental health in his offending, we are concerned to ensure that we have a psychiatric report to assess the current status of Mr Smither’s mental health," she said.  The board also commissioned a psychological risk assessment to review the Waikeria Prison…

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