Scott Watson appeal: Lawyers say police primed key witness in murder case
Lawyers for Scott Watson are challenging his 1999 murder convictions in the Supreme Court, arguing that police improperly influenced a key witness. The appeal centers on the reliability of visual identification evidence and the police's handling of the investigation.
Why it matters
This case is a high-profile legal battle in New Zealand that questions the integrity of historical criminal investigations and the potential for miscarriages of justice.
Ben Smart and Olivia Hope pictured in front of Scott Watson's boat Blade, and Watson during a court hearing. Composite photo / NZME
Lawyers fighting to overturn Scott Watson’s convictions for the murder of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope say police “primed” the key witness and tainted the identification procedure for the rest of the investigation.
The lawyers are in the Supreme Court today arguing the Court of Appeal was wrong to conclude no miscarriage of justice arose from the trial judge’s decision to admit the visual identification evidence of water taxi driver Guy Wallace.
Wallace was key to the Crown’s case as the only person who identified Watson as exiting the water taxi with Smart and Hope .
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in