Patient's lawsuit over killing fails

Psychiatric patient Paul Ellis, who beat his father to death with a softball bat in 2001 after being released from compulsory mental health care, has failed in his bid to sue the Counties Manukau District Health Board.

Ellis had claimed general damages of $180,000 and for present and future economic loss.

Justice Judith Potter said in her decision there was no power for a clinician to detain a patient indefinitely. The law vested that power in a district court judge.