National MP's stepbrother gets 25 years' prison in US

July 28, 2018

Clinton Thinn has been found guilty of killing a cellmate in a California prison in 2016. — (Source: 1 NEWS)

New Zealander Clinton Thinn has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison after being convicted of murder in the United States.

The 30-year-old was found guilty of strangling his cellmate with a prison shirt.

The judge in the San Diego Superior Court also ordered Thinn to pay Lyle Woodward's funeral costs, of $2700.

Prosecutor Karra Reedy told the court that Thinn was dangerous and had made threatening remarks in a probation interview.

But his lawyer said the comments had been misunderstood.

Clinton Thinn is the stepbrother of National MP, Nikki Kaye.

New Zealand Crime and Justice North America

SHARE ME

More Stories

Six Mongrel Mob members jailed after violent Southland crime spree

In January 2022, the area began experiencing a slew of violent offending that spanned several months, including drive-by shootings and violent assaults.

4:59pm

American singer-songwriter, David Anthony Burke aka d4vd performs on the Casino stage during the 58th Montreux Jazz Festival (MJF), in Montreux, Switzerland, July 19, 2024.

Teen girl's body found in impounded car registered to the singer d4vd

Celeste Rivas, 15, went missing about 95 kilometres southeast of downtown Los Angeles last year.

3:40pm

A fire rips through Seaview Terraces in Hokitika.

Woman charged after blaze at former Hokitika mental health facility

Police said the woman lit a fire which destroyed the Seaview Hospital complex last month.

3:10pm

This combo of images provided by the York County, Pa., District Attorney's office on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, shows, from left, Det. Mark Baker, Det. Sgt. Cody Becker and Det. Isaiah Emenheiser, all of the Northern York County Regional Police Department.

Prosecutor says stalking suspect ambushed Pennsylvania police officers

Detective Sgt. Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser were killed and two other officers were badly hurt.

2:15pm

Police staffer carried out 'mass fraud' before being hired

The IPCA oversaw a police investigation into an allegation that an employee was involved in "mass fraud offending" while working in his previous job.

12:23pm

Countdown Dunedin South was closed for close to three-weeks after a "significant rat infestion" early last year.

Woolworths charged after rat infestation at Dunedin South supermarket

The supermarket giant faces a maximum penalty of $200,000 after rats forced a nearly three-week closure early last year.

11:10am

1:29

Woman charged after blaze at former Hokitika mental health facility

Police said the woman lit a fire which destroyed the Seaview Hospital complex last month.

3:10pm

Prosecutor says stalking suspect ambushed Pennsylvania police officers

Detective Sgt. Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser were killed and two other officers were badly hurt.

2:15pm

Police staffer carried out 'mass fraud' before being hired

The IPCA oversaw a police investigation into an allegation that an employee was involved in "mass fraud offending" while working in his previous job.

12:23pm

Woolworths charged after rat infestation at Dunedin South supermarket

The supermarket giant faces a maximum penalty of $200,000 after rats forced a nearly three-week closure early last year.

11:10am

1:29

Six Mongrel Mob members jailed after violent Southland crime spree

In January 2022, the area began experiencing a slew of violent offending that spanned several months, including drive-by shootings and violent assaults.

4:59pm

Teen girl's body found in impounded car registered to the singer d4vd

Celeste Rivas, 15, went missing about 95 kilometres southeast of downtown Los Angeles last year.

3:40pm

Woman charged after blaze at former Hokitika mental health facility

Police said the woman lit a fire which destroyed the Seaview Hospital complex last month.

3:10pm

Prosecutor says stalking suspect ambushed Pennsylvania police officers

Detective Sgt. Cody Becker, Detective Mark Baker and Detective Isaiah Emenheiser were killed and two other officers were badly hurt.

2:15pm

Police staffer carried out 'mass fraud' before being hired

The IPCA oversaw a police investigation into an allegation that an employee was involved in "mass fraud offending" while working in his previous job.

12:23pm

Woolworths charged after rat infestation at Dunedin South supermarket

The supermarket giant faces a maximum penalty of $200,000 after rats forced a nearly three-week closure early last year.

11:10am

1:29

VIEW MORE CRIME AND JUSTICE STORIES

Latest

Popular

5 mins ago

Auckland club raising the next generation of Black Ferns