Man in deadly home invasion gets parole, remains jailed

CONCORD, NH. (WHDH) -- A New Hampshire man who admitted to helping two convicted killers get rid of bloody clothes after a violent home invasion was granted parole on one charge on Thursday, but remains jailed for the second.

Autumn Savoy, 22, admitted to helping get rid of evidence linked to the murder of Kimberly Cates in 2009.

Cates' husband spoke out on Thursday, arguing that Autumn Savoy should continue serving time for the crime.

David Cates arrives at the New Hampshire state prison in Concord on Thursday to address the parole board more than two years after the murder of his wife Kimberly and the savage maiming of his 11-year-old daughter Jamie in the family’s home in the quiet town of Mont Vernon.

“He thought it was important to make his voice heard, and that’s what he did today,” said Jeff Stelzin, prosecutor.

Savoy was up for parole after pleading guilty to helping the other four suspects hide crucial evidence and providing them with an alibi.

No cameras were allowed at the hearing where Cates spoke about his family, asked board members to, “Close your eyes for a moment and imagine just how scared they were as dozens of stabs and slashes were delivered with razor sharp knives to their helpless bodies.”

Cates added that Savoy could have prevented this because, “He knew at least 24 hours in advance that the men planned to violently break into a home…but Autumn Savoy didn't have the guts to stand up to those punks and drop a dime to at least call a parent if not police.”

In the end, citing his good behavior behind bars, the parole board granted parole....not an easy decision they say.

“Hey, we’re all human. It’s not easy. Nobody said this was an easy volunteer job,” said Pierre Morgan, N.H. parole board.

Savoy’s mother offered an apology as she left the prison.

“Just that my heart goes out to them,” said Katherine Savoy, Autumn’s mother.

Savoy will now be serving his second term in May of 2012. He will be eligible for parole in May of 2015.

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