Parole board rejects Nippard release request

The parole request of a Newfoundland and Labradorman convicted of stabbing his wife 33 times has been denied.

Llewellyn Nippard, 57, was deemed to be a moderate to high risk to reoffend in a romantic relationship, a National Parole Board panel determined Thursday following a hearingduring which family emotions ran high.

Nippard, who left Nellie Nippard for dead following a brutal 1990 assault in their Lewisporte home, is serving a life sentence at Dorchester Penitentiary in New Brunswick.

His children are divided on whether he should be released from prison.

Nellie Nippard died of cancer in 2003, after attracting a national profile for her campaign to be able to speak directly to a parole board panel about why she feared her husband.

Daughter Doris Sheppard became emotional while addressing panel members on Thursday.

Sheppard'sbrother, Rocky Nippard, who supports their father's release, sat quietly during the hearing.

Sheppard said she was appalled by a petition that attracted about 80 signatures of peoplesupporting Nippard's release.

"Why would you sign your name on a piece of paper … Would you let him into your home, and stay all night and feel safe?" she said.

"I certainly wouldn't and I'm his daughter," Sheppard said.

Before the hearing, Rocky Nippard said he believed that his father has served a sufficient sentence, and he has been rehabilitated.

"I think it's time he got out," Rocky Nippard told CBC News before the hearing.

"It's been a long time, a lot of years, and I've certainly seen a lot of people do a lot more and get a lot less."

The family is divided over the issue. Another sister,Paula Nippard, also opposes his release, "because I have a tremendous fear of the man, definitely."