Watson faces parole hearing to argue for release
Scott Watson, the man convicted of murdering Olivia Hope and Ben Smart in the Marlborough Sounds in 1998, will appear before the Parole Board tomorrow in his latest bid for freedom.
Despite no bodies ever being found, Watson was convicted of killing the young friends at a New Year’s party and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years. He has now served more than 22 years.
Watson has always insisted he is innocent, and has appeared before the Parole Board twice before. The last time was in 2016 when the board judged he was still an undue risk. It ruled he could not have another parole hearing for four years.
Now 49, Watson will face the board again, where his lawyer, Kerry Cook, will argue for his release, and the board will be able to question Watson.
Watson will also have supporters present, including his father, Chris, who has steadfastly supported his son since he was accused of the murders.
The case is one of the most controversial in New Zealand’s history, with Watson having made several unsuccessful appeals. However, in June, the governor-general referred Watson’s
case back to the Court of Appeal, after an investigation by retired judge Sir Graham Panckhurst raised concerns about forensic evidence used to convict Watson.
That appeal is likely to be heard in the middle of next year and, even if Watson’s parole bid is unsuccessful, he can apply for bail prior to the appeal.
Chris Watson said that, given the Parole Board’s 2016 ruling, it would be a surprise if his son was granted parole. ‘‘It’d be a pleasant surprise, but it’d still be a surprise.’’
Despite Watson being a minimum-security prisoner at Christchurch’s Rolleston Prison, having no misdemeanours on his record for years, and recently undertaking an escorted visit outside the prison, Chris Watson said his son was blocked from rehabilitation courses or treatment that might help his parole chances, because he denied he was guilty.
‘‘And if he went on these courses, he’d have to weep and show contrition, for something he didn’t do, otherwise he’d fail the course. Yossarian would be proud of this system,’’ Chris Watson said, referencing the main character in the novel Catch-22.
‘‘You effectively have to lie to have a chance of being released.’’