Ewen Macdonald in plea for early release

Ewen Macdonald, seen here during his trial in 2012, will be before the Parole Board next Monday. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Ewen Macdonald will make his bid for an early release from prison when he appears before the Parole Board tomorrow.

The 33-year-old was acquitted of murdering his brother-in-law Scott Guy in a high-profile trial last year.

After a jury found him not guilty of murder, he was sentenced in September last year to five years imprisonment for a crime spree targeting neighbouring Feilding farms.

Macdonald pleaded guilty to six charges, including the slaughter of 19 calves with hammer blows to their heads, the theft and killing of two trophy stags, emptying a neighbour's main milk vat of about 16,000 litres of milk worth tens of thousands of dollars, and burning down a 110-year-old whare.

The charges were not revealed to the murder trial jury, partly because they would have been prejudicial.

Macdonald will face his second parole hearing, at Christchurch Men's Prison tomorrow.

In denying him parole a year ago, the board said Macdonald had "much to do"and would be required to undertake one-on-one counselling with a psychologist. A psychological report described him as having "narcissistic traits", while a personality test revealed a "marked tendency to portray himself as having socially desirable qualities"and "can be self-involved and over-value his self worth".

He was not legally represented during his first hearing but APNZ understands a lawyer will act for him tomorrow.

Scott Guy's father, Bryan Guy, told the Herald last week that knowing Macdonald would eventually be released meant he and wife Jo were realistic about how they would be when the moment finally arrived.

"You've still got to be courteous and polite and so on."

Macdonald is the estranged husband of Bryan Guy's daughter Anna, who is now living in Auckland with her new partner, Brent Jameson. The couple are expecting their first child together. Ms Guy has four children with Macdonald.

Bryan Guy said the children often spoke about their father, and would have a relationship with him, although it would not change things dramatically for the rest of the family.

"He's still the father of our grandchildren. I dare say there will be some contact - we won't be looking for too much."

APNZ has been granted access to today's hearing and will file updates as they occur.