Simpson family concerned about Tiechrieb’s release to halfway house
Nov 2, 2021 | 4:03 PM
James Peters
KAMLOOPS — The man who attacked 18-year-old Jessie Simpson with a baseball bat in 2016 has been released from prison and is now living in a halfway house after serving more than three years in jail.
Kristopher Teichrieb was scheduled to be released next summer, but he’s been granted a statutory release following the Parole Board of Canada’s decision last week.
The decision indicated Teichrieb’s behaviour in prison improved, even though he showed violent tendencies while behind bars. The parole board has some moderate concerns about him reoffending.
The Simpson family — with now 24-year-old Jessie and mom Susan — have serious concerns and frustrations about Teichreib’s release.
“Very unsettling knowing that he’s not behind bars anymore. It almost makes me feel like I worry about Jessie and I worry about myself,” Susan told CFJC Today. “It’s not easy for him and he fights every day, so I’m going to keep fighting with him. I fight every day with Jessie for justice, and that is what I need is justice for Jessie because I don’t believe it was served.”
Jessie, who was 18 at the time of the attack, was heading home from a graduation party in the early morning hours of June 19, 2016 when he walked through Teichrieb’s property.
Prior to the attack, Teichrieb noted he was dealing with crime in his Brocklehurst neighbourhood. On June 19, he chased Simpson off his yard and proceed to beat him with a baseball bat.
In 2018, Teichrieb was given a seven-year prison sentence, and with time served, he was expected to serve three years and eight months. He was scheduled to be released in June 2022.
Teichrieb was denied full and day parole and will live in a halfway house — first in the Lower Mainland for three months, then in the Central Interior if his stay goes well. He is under strict conditions, including no use of drugs and requirements to follow a treatment plan.
The parole board also ordered Teichrieb to stay away from the Simpson family. Susan Simpson says she plans to reach out to the parole board soon about the decision.
“I don’t want to see him come back to Kamloops. I want to know where he is all the time. I want to know that Jessie’s safe,” she said.
Jessie is living in a wheelchair needing 24-hour care from staff at The Hamlets in Westsyde.
