The family of Connor Cole Boyd who died after he was run over by a ute driven by a young man are “shocked and devastated” to learn he is set to be paroled in January.
It’s been nearly three years since a night of escalating tensions among a group of friends ended in tragedy. Boyd had jumped onto the runner board of a ute driven by William Grace, with his then-girlfriend Kaiya Shute sat behind him and grabbing Boyd through the window before he fell under the wheel.
Grace and Shute were jailed earlier this year, and Grace appeared before the Parole Board on Thursday for the first time.
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His lawyer, Emma Priest, told the board Grace was aware it was unusual to be seeking early release from prison. But the Parole Board granted Grace parole.
“Mr Grace you’ll appreciate this is a very difficult decision,” Sir Ron Young told the now 22-year-old at the conclusion of the hearing.
“This will not be a joyous occasion for the parents and family of this boy. Just remember that,” Young said to which Grace acknowledged. He was also warned that if he tripped up, he’d be returning to prison.
Connor Boyd, 18, died in April 2022 after being run over by a ute driven by William Grace.Supplied
Boyd’s father, John Boyd, told Stuff the family “were shocked and devastated” about the news.
“Nothing will bring Connor back and knowing they were in jail for a period of time gave us some relief,” he said.
John Boyd previously said the family felt like they’d been handed a life sentence and had felt gagged by the previous name suppression orders in place.
The Parole Board quizzed Grace on his time in prison and the courses he’s completed.
Grace told Young that he fully regrets what he has done and how Boyd’s family may feel at the prospect of him being paroled.
“I understand the devastation caused...I am fully sorry for my actions that caused this terrible event.”
“No amount of time will make up for what’s happened,” Grace said.
Grace was also quizzed about his actions that tragic night and asked why he didn’t just walk away earlier in the night, and why he didn’t just drive off.
The incident unfolded near Britomat in Auckland’s CBD.Chris McKeen / Stuff
The young man said he wasn’t thinking about the consequences and panicked.
“When you’re holding someone and driving forward what’s going to happen, it is obvious...” Young said.
Grace said he regretted not stopping after Boyd fell.
“I know that would have been the best option as well. I should have stopped immediately and done what I could to help.”
Grace told the Board while inside prison he’d learned how to stop emotions developing into something bad.
Young again quizzed him on Grace’s choice not to walk away from the situation that night.
Grace said he was young and stupid.
“What you did is a bit more than young and stupid. You might have been young and stupid but lots of stupid young men are able to apply some sort of judgement,” Young said.
Grace will be released on parole on January 20 with a number of conditions lasting six months after the sentence end date which included not to go south and an east-west line along the southern edge of the Auckland Harbour. He’s also subject to electronic monitoring and a curfew between 10pm and 6am and is not to consume drugs and alcohol.
Pointless teen drama
The final moments of Connor Boyd’s life were captured on CCTV camera and played during the trial.
The messy back story to the night included shifting teenage friendships, one-night stands, overlapping friend groups, drunken grandstanding, but also plain and simple bullying that got out of control and led to the death of Boyd, prosecutor Claire Paterson said to the jury in her closing.
At about 2am, Ella Olson was standing in the Customs St laneway when Shute came up behind her and pulled her hair, causing Olson to fall to the ground. Shute admitted this assault before trial.
Kaiya Shute and William Grace at their trial.Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
Later that night, Boyd was punched by Grace. Grace said Boyd had threatened his friend. Even later Shute pushed, kicked and punched him.
Boyd stood back and walked away. That was something his family told the sentencing judge was just like Boyd, someone who never condoned violence and avoided confrontation.
The group then dispersed. The defendants left in the Grace’s Toyota Hilux, and it was while they were on Gore St, they both said that Boyd walked over to the ute, and made threatening comments.
Shute said she pushed Boyd and then slapped him before Grace grabbed on to him and started driving. This all happened in the space of seconds.
Grace previously said he was scared for his safety and the safety of his passengers as Boyd punched him through the open car window.
In the CCTV footage, another arm can be seen out the Hilux window grabbing Boyd. Justice Gault said it was Shute’s arm.
Boyd can be seen running alongside the vehicle and hanging on to the runner board, before he appeared to fall and his head and body were run over.
Grace continued driving. Seven minutes later, Shute called 111, saying “some dude tried to f... up my boyfriend”.
At the sentencing, Justice Gault acknowledged the immeasurable pain Boyd’s family and friends feel and regardless of the sentence he imposed, he said it can’t undo the harm done.
Shute was declined parole in November and is set to be seen again by the board in April.