‘Filth’ accusation at rally for killer
Protesters proclaiming the innocence of convicted double-murderer Scott Watson were labelled ‘‘filthy’’ by a friend of his two victims.
Vigils were held in Christchurch and Blenheim yesterday by supporters calling for his exoneration.
Watson, who was convicted of murdering Olivia Hope and Ben Smart in 1999, has always maintained his innocence. Their bodies have never been found.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment, with no possibility of parole until this year.
Tensions were high at the Christchurch vigil as a man yelled at the protesters before returning five minutes later with a bar of soap. ‘‘You’re filthy,’’ he shouted. ‘‘Absolutely disgusting. You need this this soap.’’
The man, Phil Harris, said he had been ’’good mates’’ with Hope and Smart.
‘‘I happened to be driving around and saw the signs saying ‘free Scott Watson’ and I saw red. It’s bloody disgusting.’’
Watson’s niece, Lisa Gridley, was proudly waving a placard emblazoned with the phrase ‘free my uncle’.
‘‘He’s 100 per cent innocent,’’ she said.
She was happy with the turnout of about 40 people, who gathered despite the chilly temperatures and rain.
‘‘We’re just trying to raise public attention, public awareness of what the cops did and how he didn’t get a fair trial,’’ Gridley said.
‘‘There’s been no justice for anyone. Not for Ben Smart or Olivia Hope or my uncle. No-one.’’
The case for Watson’s release has gained traction since North & South published an interview with him.
Among the protesters was Arthur Allan Thomas, famous for being at the centre of one of New Zealand’s most notable miscarriages of justice. He flew down from Hamilton yesterday morning to show his support.
‘‘All we’re asking for is a new trial, straight away,’’ he said.
The Blenheim vigil was organised by Theresa Pollock, who knew Watson when they were both teenagers.
‘‘We sort of grew up together,’’ she said.
There was a strong community of Watson supporters, she said.
The vigils were designed to ‘‘raise awareness’’ in a peaceful manner without offending anyone, particularly the Smart or Hope families.