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Offender Database Matthew Walsh

Matthew Albert Walsh

Alias

.

Offences

Murder of a Methven man in January 2004 by stabbing him to death in front of his 10 year old son
Numerous previous convictions

Victims

Don Linwood

Offender Affiliations

.

Gang affiliations

none known

Age

Born 1968

Current Location

Prison

Parole/Release Dates

Sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2004 with minimum 13 years non-parole
This was reduced on appeal to 11 years 6 months non-parole in May 2005
Eligible for parole from July 2015

Background
NZ City story here
From Timaru Herald

A Methven man was jailed for 13 years yesterday for the killing of his dinner party guest earlier this year. Matthew Albert Walsh, 35, a crop worker, appeared for sentence in the High Court at Timaru before Justice Fogarty. Walsh pleaded guilty to murdering Donald Linwood in January following a depositions hearing last month.

The court was told Walsh had invited Mr Linwood to a birthday dinner party at his home. While dining, witnesses said Walsh leaned over the table and told Mr Linwood he was going to stab him. Walsh had apparently already made the suggestion earlier in the evening to another member of the group.

Mr Linwood took the comment in jest, asking if he could finish his meal first. However, others present restrained Walsh who broke away, followed Mr Linwood from the house and stabbed him twice in the back with a skinning knife from the kitchen. Justice Fogarty said the wounds inflicted were done with such strength they penetrated the victim's chest and broke a rib.

"The type of wound and the way it was done indicates a ferocious act of violence."

After kicking his victim in the head and dragging him into the gutter, Walsh returned to the kitchen, washed the knife, returned it to its sheath and placed in back in the kitchen drawer. He then left the scene. The judge said he accepted alcohol was a factor in Walsh's offending, but one Walsh should have addressed some years earlier.

He expressed some doubt as to just how drunk Walsh was, as well, saying that Walsh had appeared in control when giving a statement to police about an hour after the murder. Premeditation was also a factor given Walsh's statements earlier that evening about knives and stabbing Mr Linwood.

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Corrections and Additional Information
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