Kiwi murder accused is Cabinet minister's step-brother

  • Updated
  • 09/02/2017

Cabinet Minister Nikki Kaye says the family of a New Zealand man facing a first-degree murder charge in the US are facing a "sad and difficult" time.

Ms Kaye, the Associate Education Minister, is related to 29-year-old Clinton Thinn who is currently under arrest and being held at the maximum security George Bailey Detention Facility in San Diego.

He faces charges of attempted robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, carrying a loaded firearm and  first-degree murder. 

In a short statement, Ms Kaye says it is a "difficult and sad time for all those affected by what has happened".

She didn't want to comment further because the case is before the courts.

Thinn was arrested in California after allegedly trying to rob a bank.

He is reported to have gone into the Chula Vista bank and used a flare gun and a hammer in the stick-up. He was captured during his attempt.

He is also accused of killing a fellow inmate while at the detention facility.

It's believed Thinn travelled to the US to pursue a rap career. He was a student at Auckland's Selwyn College.

Thinn has not entered any plea and he isn't eligible for bail. If convicted he could face the death penalty.

He has two scheduled court dates for his charges in late February and early March.

California is one of 30 states in which the death penalty is legal. In November last year, the state voted against a measure to replace the death penalty with life in prison with no possibility of parole.

Along with keeping capital punishment, voters also backed a proposal to make executions happen faster by adding lawyers to handle death penalty cases and putting time limits on inmates' appeals. 

Ms Kaye has just returned to work after being diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

Newshub.