Keith Hunter on the Scott Watson Appeal

Michael Laws talks to author and journalist Keith Hunter about the Scott Watson appeal.
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[@gsd4me00]

NZ Police doing what it is historically known for. Picking the guilty party, then manufacturing the evidence to convict them.

[@mattblack9069]

Exactly Detective Pope had a bitch against Scott and had done for years, he wanted to get Scott. The two-masted ketch is important but the police ignored it. One thing mentioned only once in the Evening Post right at the beginning of the search was the Post mentioned that a Large Cruise Boat was moored out in the stream, but was not mentioned again at all, an interesting omission

[@stumpy2120]

Why did scott watson lie about what he was wearing that night and why coukd he never produce the clothes he wore?

[@mattblack9069]

@@stumpy2120 He did not lie about his appearance, the police lied initially and stated he was roughly dressed with scruffy hair which was a lie, in fact he was neatly dressed and had short well groomed hair. The investigation led by Pope was against Scott and Pope hated Scott from past incidents. Now that the corruption from the Police is widely known and believed the Police do not want a not guilty verdict as compensation will be so huge the police will not want to pay it or the Justice Department.

[@BarryNewman-ul6ui]

It stands to reason that the Police would have a possible guilty person in mind at the beginning of an inquiry and gather evidence as opposed to manufacture as has been suggested, the statement that Rob Pope had it in for Scott Watson for years and was out to get Him has no credibility at all as He didn't know anything about Him until He took over the inquiry on Jan 6th, a Ketch involved only existed in the space between the ear drums of Guy Wallace and formed absolutely no part in the disappearance of Ben and Olivia, the sightings maintained by numerous witnesses were in most cases that of the "Alliance".

[@mattblack9069]

@@stumpy2120 He did not lie about his appearance, it was the Police claiming he was untidily dressed and had long unkempt hair, where in fact he was neatly dressed and had short tidy hair, and this was conformed by witnesses at Fernough

[@kerryhughes3407]

Rob Pope made sure that the killers of those 2 young people will never be found. I wonder how many innocent people he's sent to prison over the years, He should be held accountable for his actions and needs to be sitting in a prison cell himself ,,,,

[@seanodwyer4322]

so should that Raymond Spencer Smith.

[@michaelcudby787]

Here here. I wonder if he had anyting to do with the Crew murders?

[@frankvendetta9230]

Apparently there was drug runners involved.

[@michaelcudby787]

@@frankvendetta9230 Yes, that seems correct. This whole scenario was way way bigger than was first thought.

[@kerryhughes3407]

@frankvendetta9230 Rob Pope, the dope wouldn't have a bar of that.... Let's not confuse his small brain,, That's just making more work he doesn't need. Know one's going to change his tunnel vision... shit, he's managed to jail enough innocent people to get himself promoted to where other people's opinions are worthless....

[@MerleDoughty-yw6cl]

The ESR person that went over that blanket found nothing. Then the blonde hairs suddenly turned up in a plastic bag which was open, cross contamination or planted. Lets not forget what happened to Arthur Alan Thomas, the cartridges had found to have been planted

[@maxlevett7474]

ESR Sue Vintiner would have seen photos of Olivia in the media. Her comment after initially checked the hairs was "nothing of interest". At trial she said contamination should not be ruled out.

[@mattblack9069]

It is the Authur Alan case style all over again. If I recall correctly the blond hairs had a probability of a match of 1in 1 million certainly not a maybe match at all. The Ferry taxi owner was got at later on and forced to change his statement later as well.

[@FrancescaLee-np3qr]

Yes the Arther Allen case all over again

[@FrancescaLee-np3qr]

Remember someone saw a couple on a yaught not scot Watson yaught

[@FrancescaLee-np3qr]

A huge yaught

[@Manawatu_Al2844]

Rob Pope and the investigation team need to be dragged before a Royal Commission, as a Police investigation will cover their actions.

[@stumpy2120]

This us one if the most challenged cases in nz history. No one has ever found evidence of corruption in the investigation

[@mAKETU13]

When the Govt Lies, the truth becomes a traitor

[@fatbastard70]

​@@mAKETU13wow, that's... like... deep man

[@kungfutzu3779]

@@stumpy2120 that shouldn't be the test. the test should be whether anyone has ever found evidence that the guy in jail is guilty

[@stumpy2120]

@kungfutzu3779 I was addressing the original comments suggestion of corruption. Evidence is the test, the evidence clearly showed that scott was guilty beyond reasonable doubt

[@fredjones9750]

I always found it incredible david bain got off with a mountain of evidence against him yet scott stays in prison with virtually nothing against him. You cant convict someone of double murder on such flimsy evidence. Its just not safe.

[@alexanderson2086]

Bain is more likeable and marketable for public support, so he gets off, not fair but thats how life works. I'm not sure if Watson is guilty or not, but questions of character make it hard for him to get a fair trial.

[@patricehardynz]

@@alexanderson2086 Brain comes across a creep. Check out his best friend in prison

[@merlenechambers575]

There should be an investigation into Operation Tam. Information was coming in about the ketch, Operation Tam were not interested.

[@squashum778]

This case was rotten to the core.

[@seanodwyer4322]

Like that case in Napier city it was local natives who did it.

[@bosshogg1915]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKuXo3tmedqYaK8

[@Marius_vanderLubbe]

Watson was like Peter Ellis - the cops just didn't like him. They were always going to fit him up.

[@darwinbruce59]

Yeah dead right mate.

[@pgreen8531]

Absolutely that cop in charge was totally biased and ignored evidence he did not like rob pope was an absolute disgrace to the new Zealand police and the public

[@1112-g1x]

ther both dodgy cases but i think ellis culd have been working with the power brokers and watson was on the wrong side of them

[@CL-jj7yp]

I heard many years ago that the clothes that Scott Watson was photographed in that night were never found. If that is the case may I ask how many times have you gone out with your best clothes on and have never found them ever again? If this is true anyone with common sense would say there is something not right here.

[@mattblack9069]

exactly.

[@cperera910]

Thoma , Ellis, Teina Pora , Allen Hall now Watson list go on Open Justice in 2023 found there has been nearly 900 wrongful convictions in the last ten years.

[@helenlizzystewart4908]

Yes Allen Hall that was a travesty of justice there.......lazy bloody police

[@Goodiesfanful]

And more will be added to the list. 😢

[@seanodwyer4322]

add - Sean Francis O'Dwyer,- too that Hit- List too.''

[@gusjackson3658]

My late father once wondered out loud if the victim’s hair found on a blanket was planted. It would have been easy to have gotten the hair from her home. Not finding it then suddenly finding it is reminiscent of the Crewe murders and the planted cartridge case. Also found on a 2nd search with very few present.

[@arnoldbraunschweiger4828]

Yeah look it's dodgy as hell.....had to be done coz the police knew they had nothing....

[@dadcooks1347]

Can u imagine being sent to prison based on one person’s eye witness testimony? That just terrifies me. A persons recollection is the worst form of evidence possible.especially in this case it seems

[@stumpy2120]

It was an 11 week trial. Tge eyewitness testimony was not tge totality of evidence against scott

[@fredjones9750]

Especially on new years eve at night with copious amounts of intoxication.

[@bosshogg1915]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKuXo3tmedqYaK8

[@rachelabbott9393]

It’s very suspicious! There is someone out there who is still alive and being protected. To think all these years have passed and they still haven’t got it right!

[@xtreme3minutevideos887]

I was there at Furneaux Lodge the night of the murder and New Years morning when Ben and Olivia's fathers walked around asking everyone if we had seen them. I'm not sure if Scott is guilty or not, however there is absolutely no question, the hairs were planted. If you watch the actual footage from the original court case, the forensics lady describes in detail how she examined all the hairs twice and doesn't know how she could have possibly missed them. Some time later after the police had been to Olivia's family home to collect DNA samples they asked the forensic lady to examine the hairs a 3rd time. She said it wasn't necessary because she had been very thorough, but the police insisted and that's when she said I was very surprised to find the long blonde hair, I don't see how I could have missed it before. So beside the hairs, I fail to believe that you can entertain then murder 2 people on a tiny boat and there is no other DNA to be found anywhere. Also, if Scott had murdered them and he is the experienced criminal that police say he is, wouldn't he have disposed of the blanket. He would know there could be DNA on it and I think he would get rid of it quick. I had a lengthy interview at the Christchurch police station following the murder, as did most people who were there on the night, and when I saw my statement years later it was completely altered and quoted me saying things about the ketch I never said. In my opinion, Rob Pope, could not find any evidence or clues but became so obsessed with solving the case to boost his own reputation and ego he acted dishonestly. That is backed up by all the lies they told the media like the whole boat was painted afterwards when in fact it wasn't. They spread the story the whole inside of the boat was scrubbed clean but in court the forensics guy who examined the boat said only 30% of the horizontal surfaces had been wiped. In other words, the normal wiping of the galley bench top.

[@1112-g1x]

thts right its a no brainer really , i mean according to police he eliminated all other evidence apparently even cleaning casset tape cases lol....btw was tht night at furneaux lodge pretty rough?

[@xtreme3minutevideos887]

@@1112-g1x No it wasn't rough at all, I stayed the night on a boat, it was a very calm still night. EDIT: I just realised perhaps you meant was it a rough crowd. It was just a typical raucous NY Eve crowd, there were a lot of people there, a lot of noisy drunk people, I was still in the bar till about 3 am with friends but the bar was closed by then. I never saw any fights. Guy Wallace actually came into the bar and told me to stop playing the piano because he was trying to sleep

[@stumpy2120]

Ben and olivias fathers did not go to the inlet on new years day

[@xtreme3minutevideos887]

@@stumpy2120 I don't know where you got that from, you are completely wrong. They arrived by boat and were walking around the front lawn of the lodge asking everyone

[@rebeccabriggs2982]

​@@xtreme3minutevideos887did you see the ketch? I know of a ketch similar, if you saw the mystery ketch I could give you details.

[@merlenechambers575]

Why were the Police not interested in the Ketch?

[@ObiePaddles]

No sailor or water taxi would have got a Ketch and Sloop mixed up.

[@strangecustoms8486]

They were they brought up a skuttled off Tauranga took it in checked it over then took it back out and sunk it again it was a perfect match for the one witnesses described. Their statement at the time was nothing to see here.

[@darwinbruce59]

Because it had been flowed from South America and same biat ended up in Ozzie fill of dope, and the NZ cops where told to stand down, and here's a few dollars.

[@pgreen8531]

Yes rob pope ignored any evidence of that ketch nut ot was seen by several eye witnesses

[@michaelaitken2631]

Because it didn't fit with the case they were manufacturing...

[@simonmeikle2673]

Similar to the Mona Blades case where lots of witnesses reported the same car , but the authorities did not want to know about it.

[@lesleywallace5748]

He didn't do it , someone has to be made accountable?

[@darwinbruce59]

Yeah mate.

[@seanodwyer4322]

Blame Me.

[@mikewilliams6086]

How many witness sitings they had reported that the Tam cops told them they weren't interested! Corruption!

[@ObiePaddles]

I always thought if Scott Watson was supposed to have killed 2 people on a yacht, then how come there were only two hairs from Olivia Hope?

[@pgreen8531]

Absolutely right and disgusting behavior from the police

[@ObiePaddles]

@@lukeward7540 and missed 2 hairs? Not credible imo.

[@shoutatthesky]

A little suspicious that the main witness topped himself and mentioned his guilt at Watson's conviction in his goodbye letter.

[@1112-g1x]

ys wuld like to no more

[@deanwitt7903]

Incorrect .

[@fredjones9750]

Details?

[@shoutatthesky]

@@fredjones9750 I've tried posting the links to various sources but yt keeps removing them. Just google "guy walkace d****" and there are various articles with mentioning Wallace's reference to the case in his final communication.

[@shoutatthesky]

@@fredjones9750 In short he felt guilty for his actions regarding Scott Watson. He said he was pressured by the police say what he said.

[@CL-jj7yp]

I heard many years ago that the clothes that Scott Watson was photographed in that night were never found. If that is the case may I ask how many times have you gone out with your best clothes on and have never found them ever again? If this is true anyone with common sense would say there is something not right here.

[@stumpy2120]

Scott also lied about what he was wearing

[@andrewbrownlie2764]

Yes. If it's true.

[@stumpy2120]

@andrewbrownlie2764 its true, scott lied about what he was wearing and then when shown a photo of his outfit that night refused to produce it

[@fredjones9750]

​@@stumpy2120so you or a loved one would be quite happy to be convicted of a double homicide because you couldn't find your clothes after a boozy new years eve in your 20s.

[@mAKETU13]

​@stumpy2120 you talk alot of shit You're a paid troll to be on here to discredit anything. I know what really happened so nice try troll!

[@andysaunders3708]

Not just the Police, but, historically anyway, certain members of the judiciary. Very scary and awful.

[@josephlitati4983]

I think the detective in charge!!! Knew the real bad guy!!! And is just framing someone else!!!

[@stevemilton9304]

most likely importing p

[@BarryNewman-ul6ui]

@@josephlitati4983 Do You really believe the Detective in charge knew the real bad guy and is just framing someone else ? What on earth drives You to make such a ridiculously silly statement ?

[@glennstuart1120]

my sister and her husband photographed the ketch and sent them to the police. she never got a thank you or the photos back

[@user-zi3st5jh6v]

Have you still got the photos or proofs might be handy for SW's lawyer or they may have some perhaps.

[@user-zi3st5jh6v]

They wouldnt have fitted the police plot.

[@marlenemcphee3502]

I read that the photo was lost.

[@selah181]

Terrible indictment upon the NZ police. Were they ever investigated? Complicity? Drug-deal involvement? Shoddy, shocking policing.

[@gusjackson3658]

Another problem blurring the picture was that Watson was not likable. It should be irrelevant to justice but it never is completely.

[@cmmc502]

Here is my opinion on the case first off I would like to cover some of the comments here about the cleaning and painting of the boat cleaning tapes and Scott’s missing clothes first off Scott and his boat out in some nasty weather in December of 97 every thing that was open got salt water all over and in the cabin as well from the hatch being open and him and his sister going in and out of the cabin salt water goes everywhere so of course you have to clean it and that goes for the tapes as well as if they have salt in them then you most likely to destroy your sound system particularly since most sound systems back then we’re not Marine grade. Second the painting of the boat was planed for way in advance as Scott had the paint put aside at Erie bay for him and it was not uncommon for people boating on a budget to do maintenance on the water while out my old man knew someone who painted his flybridge when out at sea for 2 weeks and there is more people than I can mention who do that. As for Scott missing clothes it’s more than possible he left them hanging on the side of his boat and they blew off into the water I’ve had it happen before doesn’t mean I’m a murderer. And here is the thing Scott’s boat was tied up to 2 other boats for all your land lovers that think they know everything here’s a fact sounds travels over water very easy and even beneath the cabin of the 2 other boats then you would hear the sound of more than one person and even if they were whispering u could hear them and then the scratches on the hatch cover the scratches went all the way to the edge of the hatch cover and when the hatch was shut the wooden stopper at the edge of the hatch way mean that there is no way for the scratches to go all the way to the edge when it was shut and even if Olivia was scratching the hatch cover it would have been open to do it and if it was open why she didn’t just try to escape with Ben? Or at least try and take control to me it’s obvious that it was Watsons nieces be young and bored/curious scratched the hatch when it was open from the top deck

[@marksmale827]

I don’t think the hairs were planted. I think that it was sloppy laboratory practice by people who should have followed rigorous protocols. The upshot seems to be that the police found someone with a somewhat dodgy past and decided that it was him. Their discount of lots of later evidence is - frankly - disturbing.

[@rayh.7757]

I may be scoffed at for this. But I'll make this comment, anyway. How can absolute guilt be proven without a shadow of a doubt, if there are no bodies? Anything could have happened to them.

[@stumpy2120]

Thry hoped on a strangers boat and were never seen again Is it reasonable to doubt that they were killed?

[@deanwitt7903]

Because an incredible amount of evidence points to Watson who lied to cover his backside . The man’s character with regard to woman and a ton of witnesses on the night who confirmed he was a sexual predator . His extensive history of violent related crimes with police etc . The guys been clinically diagnosed as a manipulative physcopath and must be laughing at his deluded supporters going along with the lie .

[@seanodwyer4322]

@@stumpy2120 blame me as Police allways do where ever ahh go.

[@Jazzaconda]

Water Taxi!

[@JoJoKaat]

I went to uni with a guy who became a lawyer in Blenheim who knew Scott Watson. He said ‘he’s a bad bugger, but he didn’t kill those two’. His theory was that there were a number of boats that sailed into the cove for new years, and that someone liked the look of Olivia. Offered the pair a lift. Once out at sea, and you can use your imagination- but basically their bodies would have been pushed over the side of the boat and the culprit sailed off. People were drunk that night or too wrapped up in themselves to notice someone slip in and slip out again.

[@1112-g1x]

a mate of a m8 shared a cell with watson, he told the m8 of a m8 he didnt murder ben n olivia, was most probly drug ring tht had th go ahead frm the police thy trolled everyone by parading ben and olivia out in the open on the ketch days after thy wnt missin

[@mattblack9069]

They could also be in Argentina now as well. Word is Olivia's father did not like the bf

[@stumpy2120]

Every other boat in the inlet was eliminated conclusively Thats fantasy

[@BarryNewman-ul6ui]

I have seen some silly ideas put forward but this section takes the cake, away from "Stumpys" comment the rest have absolutely no merit at all, Ben and Olivia seen up to 6 days later "paraded" on a boat, Olivia's Father didn't like the boyfriend so they are in Argentina, offered a lift by someone fancying Olivier and dumped at sea, drug cartels involved, a Blenheim lawyers unhinged view and so the list goes on to where reality has gone completely overboard and proven facts ignored. I am surprised that a submarine hasn't registered with some of these authors and opened up a new perspective as to what craft Ben and Olivia boarded, time will tell on this one I guess ?

[@alanwalker7342]

I was living in Nelson at the time of this investigation and my boss had a mate who was a senior cop in town and had been roped in on the team to investigate. He would call in to work and have a cuppa with us from time to time after Watson was arrested and so I said to him, was Scott the one? He didn't hesitate to shake his head in defiance and said "he's a bad bustard, but not THE bad bustard" so I've never forgotten that.

[@ngairemartin9753]

Sad. I grew up in Picton. The Sounds were our playground . Geez..

[@andrewbrownlie2764]

What really concerns me is that those two kids were seen on that ketch by numerous people and some days latter. If that is fact....these police personnel have completely failed those families. Given the fact the crown had only 2 hairs as evidence in total and even that is dubeus its likely they are worried about the ramifications of facing the public with having to admit they have likely incarcerated an innocent man for the last 25 years. Not a good look for the police either, how ever they are not responsible for their for bearers actions.

[@stumpy2120]

Every skipper there that night testified that the ketch was not there and was not tied to their boat. Wallace said the ketch was tied to two boats. What is more likely, wallace misremembered or a skipper not noticing a ketch tied to their boat

[@maxlevett7474]

@andrewbrownlie2764 Yes, there were many probably sightings of B&O up until about January 6th. They matched the description perfectly. If those sighting were followed in the urgent manner required, police would have walked into the bush at Tawa Bay Tennyson Inlet. Unfortunately they were unable to drive there in the patrol car = too hard basket.

[@stumpy2120]

@maxlevett7474 police followed up ketch sightings. They went as far as sending officers to check boats in fiji. Its a myth that they dismissed sightings. There are records of them interviewing and eliminating over 400 ketches

[@user-zi3st5jh6v]

@@maxlevett7474 Whats wrong with a speed boat or Navy boat.

[@rebeccabriggs2982]

Yes, I suspect they left NZ alive. Terribly failed. The guy probably set sail while they were sleeping or got them to agree to a new years day sail. Or set sail, they woke and he said we're having a new years day sail. Hence sitting apprehensivly at the rear of the boat. They were probably hungover and starting to worry. The mayday and Taranaki beacon are concerning.

[@willsmcmurray7070]

Its funny that the couple that was managing the lodge and were there that night has never been interviewed by any of these journalists

[@anothermintiesplease2021]

They have, I watched the interview on KZbin last week. It was Paul Homes doing the interview.

[@KatharineShaw-z8u]

Ian Wishart said Scott Watson was as guilty as sin.

[@nukerzerothefirst3417]

professional controversialist like him likes to poke a stick in the spokes ,

[@garycody1929]

Wishart will say anything to obtain mileage

[@maxlevett7474]

His books do not survive audit when compared to the same "file" he used as reference. He is very cunning selecting statements to suit his view.

[@andrewbrownlie2764]

???

[@fredjones9750]

Ian Wishart? ???. Well that's conclusive then. Lock watson up for life.

[@kerrycapper3829]

DNA is a substance of the body and can be moved. New Zealand is the first country in the world who can convict just on DNA

[@russelljones7684]

Michael...I'm well aware of Keith Hunters position and involvement in this case, But, I call your attn to both of Ian Wishart's books. Especially Elementary # 2, its a given that you are well aware of Wishart, Elementary 2 is what could be called only circumstantial evidence.....but since his initial Elementary, he dug even deeper, (evidence) his E2 book, is very plausible and compelling. Have you read it.?.....I will, as a yachtsman debunk the mystery ketch affair.....those who say they saw a blue/white painted ketch were absolutely correct, that includes Greg Feek, the All Black and others. This particular vessel is well known in the sounds, and it was in Endeavor Inlet on that New Yrs day, and it did pull anchor and leave the inlet early NYr,s morning for some fishing in Queen Charlotte Sound. Importantly, there were on board a couple of young blonde woman. This steel ketch of a classic "scow design" ,was , if I recall correctly, built by the owner and Grandfather of one of the young blonde girls. This ketch was based in Waikawa Marina, as I iterated, a well known distinctive vessel. As the police said, there was no mystery ketch as such, certainly not, and not involved in kidnapping and abducting Ben and Olivia. Just maybe one of the few things they did get right??. And Wishart got this right, he had access to many many more witnesses through his research....for that particular ketch to be involved, on that mornings timelines, there would have had to have been TWO identical vessels charging around the sounds. Read Wishart's E2 book. I would like to hear your summation of same on the Platform , Cheers.

[@maxlevett7474]

Peter Kennedy, Alliance skipper In Court: How far do you say you went in “Alliance” on the 2nd. You have indicated up near Scott Point, did you go any further than that… No. Walsh charter boat Sweet Release was 7km further north. Walsh knew very well the local flat bottom scow Alliance. The mystery ketch they saw heading north past Ship Cove they have never seen again. It is not a local boat. Wishart sucked you in real good Russel. His books do not survive audit when compared to the SAME FILE he used as reference. I know he made a big deal that he was the ONLY ONE with the "file" but it has spread far & wide.

[@carynmita6094]

Poor guy innocent. So sorry nobody heard you or seen you horrific so sorry That system let you down.

[@AsFewFalseThingsAsPossible]

Does the USA archive satellite surveillance imagery from this time ? Maybe we could see the comings and goings of boats.

[@troymomma]

Satilites don't exist

[@magingi]

It was my understanding, that apart from the two hairs found, that Scots boat had been well cleaned(just after new years), and there was also the issue of CD cases on Scots boat which had been cleaned meticulously, ie 'inside the cases'. Who does that? Then Scott's clothes had been destroyed or gone missing. Or how about painting the boat on new years day? When you're hungover. Then there were 'scratch marks'(finger nails) on the inside hatch, consistent with someone trying to get out; explained by the defense as being attributable to some of Scots relatives(children 'playing' on the boat). Yeah right! Some other evidence explained that Scot had made some peculiar statements(related to violence) during a drunken social interaction with friends, much earlier in the piece. Suggestive of some sort of 'issue'. It is the police's job to go off hunch's. There are times when they are wrong, but they are often right. A good poker player can bluff well(lie), but a better player can read that bluff and see through it, exposing the hand of the other irrespective of immediate tangible evidence as it were. Subtle nuances. Cues. Micro-expressions. It all adds up. Ketch? Sloop? Marginal differences. They're both boats. When people have had a few(which many had owing to new years), it's hardly surprising their memories may be a little amiss. But not substantially. A boat is a boat. Moreover, even though the identification of Scott via photos, by the key witness may have been a little off, he made the definitive choice, even if, later on he may have expressed doubts, mainly due to all the media 'suggestions' planted. Not at all dissimilar to what happened in the Peter Ellis case where 'false memories' had been allegedly planted via 'suggestive' interview techniques with the alleged child victims. The police got the right man. How or why so many of these trials end up being tried later in the media, with such spurious angles is ridiculous. David Bane comes to mind too. Though I do consider given the 'facts', Peter Ellis was innocent.

[@1112-g1x]

so wht did he kill thm with the cd casses i herd watson was a ninja tht probaly explains it

[@xtreme3minutevideos887]

I do not know if Scott is guilty or not but with all due respect, some of the things you mention are proof of the police corruption. The police deliberately leaked to the media that the whole inside of the boat had been scrubbed clean but in court the forensic expert who examined the boat said that is incorrect. His exact words were that only 30% of the horizontal surfaces had been wiped which would be a normal wiping of the galley bench top. Also the story of Scott painting the whole boat was false and this is also in the actual footage from the court case. Only the stripe around the cabin was repainted and witnesses stated that Scott had sanded the stripe ready for painting prior to Xmas. All this actual footage from the court can be seen in the documentary "Doubt" which can be found here on KZbin. If you need any proof that police corruption can convict the wrong man, just google the case of Alan Hall where it has now been proven police altered witness statements. Same in the Teina Pora case and of course the Arthur Allen Thomas case. My witness statement about the murder of Ben and Olivia was completely changed by the police and I only found out a few years ago when I saw it in Wisharts book.

[@magingi]

@@xtreme3minutevideos887 Well, 'witnesses' said Scott had sanded the 'stripe' prior to painting. Seems odd timing. Convenient. Yes, not exactly a smoking gun, but all the various 'pieces' put together do add up. So me thinks. The media seems to have contaminated much, after the fact. Revisionism. I do not have skin in the game as it were, but intuitively think Scott did the crime. As do I think David Bane and David Tamihere were similarly guilty.

[@fredjones9750]

​@@magingiif you had committed a double homicide on a small boat wouldn't you just throw contaminated cds or tapes overboard? Why bother cleaning them?

[@user-zi3st5jh6v]

@@xtreme3minutevideos887 Who could expect a fair trial these days.

[@mikewilliams6086]

It was all about drugs in the ketch

[@5150show]

Scott is a innocent man , framed by the cops

[@austinbrown275]

Totally agree.

[@musicians_with_gunts]

What evidence do you have? Does an innocent man destroy his clothing? Does he paint his boat for no reason? Does he confess rape fantasies to friends?

[@pgreen8531]

Totally framed by rob pope .

[@pgreen8531]

I have never belived he was guilty of these murders and have 22 yesrs police service and stil belive evidence was deliberately ignored and not investigated whatsoever pope framed an innocent man

[@1112-g1x]

@@musicians_with_gunts lol painiting yor boat doesnt make u a killer all sorts of ppl have all sorts of fantasy's doesnt imply guilt thr jst fantasys

[@karekarenz7683]

I always wondered how two fit young people could be overpowered by one small drunk man, unless there was a firearm involved.

[@stumpy2120]

Probably waited until they were asleep and attacked ben first. Scott was strong

[@fredjones9750]

In a very small 26ft yacht and left absolutely no trace.

[@BarryNewman-ul6ui]

Have You given thought to a Co-Offender ? Did Watson not act alone ? There is a lead to this being a real possibility and supported by numerous witnesses.

[@becsm1789]

There’s a huge difference between being a drunk creep and a murderer. Nz police should be ashamed of themselves absolutely shit work on their behalf.

[@BarryNewman-ul6ui]

Rather silly statement to make being there is a huge difference between a drunken creep and a murderer. You really need to define a murderer so it can be clearly seen that a drunken creep couldn't possibly be one.

[@squashum778]

What about the video of the ketch that was forwarded to the Police AND NEVER EVER SEEN AGAIN. Total stitch up, also the very unusual ketch was seen by many people tied up somewhere up north apparently.

[@stumpy2120]

Not seen by anyone that night, except for wallace supposedly Big fancy eye catching boat that no one noticed huh

[@BarryNewman-ul6ui]

​@@stumpy2120The Ketch described by Wallace wasn't seen by Him as You cannot describe a boat that isn't there, it cannot possibly exist to be sighted by numerous witnesses having emminated from the imagination of Guy Wallace creating mass hysteria fed out into the public arena bringing Ketch sighters into the action filing reports on these Ketches spotted none of which had any involvement with Ben and Olivia's disappearance, they could not climb aboard a dream, or an idea presented or the false sketch presented by Guy Wallace, the Police had no interest in this for the simple reason they preferred a boat that existed unlike the one caught in Guy Wallace's dream catcher.

[@stumpy2120]

@BarryNewman-ul6ui wallace said it was tied to at least two other boats. Every skipper that was there that was testified it wasnt tied to them and they never saw it. Wallace was mistaken

[@BarryNewman-ul6ui]

@@squashum778 The video that was sent to Police and never seen again I assume was of a Ketch or similar boat closely matching the false description given by Guy Wallace, given that Wallace's description was false and did not exist in any raft of boats in the bay it is beyond any doubt that Ben and Olivia were not delivered to a Ketch making the video of no value whatsoever and if You put some careful thought into this the reason it was ignored by Police will become apparent. Same applies to all the reported sightings of Ketches and in some cases with Olivia sighted on board , no doubting a Ketch or similar off Wallace's description was sighted by numerous people and reported, no doubting a female was seen on board in a few of these reports but this was not Olivia Hope with one clearly identifying the "Alliance" as being one and the female on board being a Holly Pickering.

[@mo8748]

Has Scott ever taken or been given a lie detecter test?

[@rayh.7757]

@@mo8748 Fair question. But it's been proven that such tests aren't totally infallible, unfortunately.

[@Sam-wn5qp]

Russian fishing boat were spotted in Picton that day and few drunken Russians were around

[@Gary-i9f]

Arthur Allen Thomas.

[@RexWestley]

Interesting

[@andrewoh1663]

There was a lot of circumstantial evidence, like the sudden desire to clean and paint the boat, the cutting out of the foam squabs and wiping out the inside of cassette tape holders. Also, his string of previous weird convictions adds to the overall picture. I also think the hair was planted but at the same time he's as guilty as all hell.

[@cperera910]

So you believe in circumstantial evidence not beyond reasonable doubt, You would have fitted like glove in the Scott Watsons Jury team.

[@andrewoh1663]

Just saying the video was a bit light on details that were relevant.

[@1112-g1x]

nt sure y u wuld clean out a casset tape to hide a murder or did he bludgeon thm to death with the tapes....kiwis can b such small minded fools

[@michaeljohnbrown6367]

There's a ketch on resolution island beached north east Queensland

[@allaboutstress]

If it looks like a duck, acts like a duck and sounds like a duck it’s corruption.

[@deanwitt7903]

Watson had a fascination with knives , he raped a woman at knife point , his mates described him as a lunatic most the time and said he hated women , he drew a picture from prison calling women bitch slaves drew a map and had labeled an area as the killing fields , he had the hope and smarts houses on it . His family home was bugged by the cops and his mother was herd saying derogatory statements about the missing couple so clearly she was also unhinged . He had a long history with the police for knife crime and violence . So yes you are correct , if it walks and quacks like a duck it’s simply a duck .!

[@edwing.7308]

ABSWER THESE......Where did the police get the hair from then and who coursed the scratch's / damage on the hatch and why did he cut holes in the mattress.

[@arnoldbraunschweiger4828]

The scratches in the hatch are a normal occurrence....happens on all yachts....only in this case a big deal was made of it....

[@neillewis785]

SCOTTY HAD A FIXATION WITH KNIVES

[@Beanoblues1966]

And 48 other convictions for theft and drugs, doesn't make you a murder

[@taniatait1791]

Give us break Ian Wishart in his first book he thought like this guy but when he found out from the police files that Watson had lied about being in Eerie Bay and he was actually missing for 36 hours and witnesses saw him not in eerie bay he realised he was guilty which he definitely was i once talked to a prison psychologist who dealt with him said he was the worst guy in prison worse than any of the gang members and a real psychopath. Guy Wallace ended up committing suicide I believe because he couldn’t live with himself for changing his story etc probably because he was threatened by someone he knew was a murderer.

[@rjh6037]

Excuse the pun, but there’s something very fishy about this case.

[@NormanMacritchie-bv3ju]

Maritime investigate unit took 2 years to do mission catch does free films, 1.2.3

[@honeybadger7002]

Heed my warning team!! Like most folks, I thought Scott Watson was innocent! Then I became a prison guard for about 10 years..... the first 2 years of dealing with him, I still thought he was innocent!! Then a few incidents happened and I came to realise very scarily..... he's very evil!! And I now believe he's guilty as sin!! Scott Watson is an absolute master manipulator!!! And deep under that friendly facade, there is a man as close to the devil as I've ever come across!! ( and I've hunted armed men that guttered pregnant ladies for sport!). Hardened gang enforcers wouldn't cell up with him!! "Old school" Head hunters and Highway 61's have said he's the only man that scares them!! Incidences of Prisoners commiting Suicide or attempting too!! The Last person they were seen or heard talking too..... Scott Watson!!! Theres "rumours" (just rumours) that other people have gone missing in other places where Scott Watson just happened to be sailing at the time! His father appears to be a nice old man, but from Scott's arrest, he's been in everyone's ear, talking to them, turning their beliefs on what they saw or know! That's how the town slowly turned their opinions on what happened! I'd go as far to say... IF I'm wrong! And no ones perfect and gets it right %100..... and Watson is in fact innocent..... he should stay in prison till his death.... cause he's just pure pure Evil!!

[@garycody1929]

Are you for real ? This piece is nonsense. No proof just fantasy.

[@1112-g1x]

m8 of a m8 was his celly said he was a chill guy and told m8 of m8 he didnt kill ben and olivia if he was tht nasty 88 wuld of most probly delt to him

[@mattyallen3396]

Thats an interesting view point. Was he hard before prison, or did prison make him hard?

[@fredjones9750]

Well that's settles it then.

[@arnoldbraunschweiger4828]

What a load of bullshit....

[@MichaelLaw-t1c]

I have always believed that Scott Watson was a fall guy. There is a marked difference between a ketch and Watson's Sloop. Two completely different types of boats. The water taxi driver testomony said he dropped Olivia and her friend off at a KETCH.

[@5150show]

Exactly. Guy Wallace was adamant he dropped them off on a 2 mast ketch ! With brass ringed windows and a blue strip

[@musicians_with_gunts]

The fall guy for whom? Somebody who disappeared into the ether, leaving no trace of his existence? Go and actually read about that case. Start with Ian Wisharts two books and go from there.

[@5150show]

Guy was also adamant the “mystery man “ was scruffy and had long hair , there a many witnesses who have said the Watson was drunk off his face , how could a smallish man seen falling off bar stools physically over power a young 20 year old man - fit and strong and Olivia, who herself was physically fit . Doesn’t make sense .

[@sunhouse3912]

@@5150showI wondered This myself

[@musicians_with_gunts]

@@5150show It doesn't make sense that an innocent man would destroy his clothes and paint his boat, out at sea, on New Year's Day. Seems like he had something to hide. Go and actually read about this case. Start with Ian Wisharts two books.

[@anothermintiesplease2021]

After reading all the comments it still a hung Jury

[@BarryNewman-ul6ui]

Maybe You have been reading misguided comments so will present You with proven facts, who except a person with knowledge would state "You'll never find the f****n bodies", lies as to the clothes He was wearing on the night and the clothes He was actually wearing He has destroyed, lies as to His movements on Jan 1st, lies as to the caretaker at Erie Bay and His children saying He arrived at Erie Bay at 9.30am Jan 1st, didn't turn up to an interview appointment at the Police station and had to be found and brought there, lies as to painting His boat at Erie Bay on Jan 1st, a lie by omission to name the male person on His boat at 10am on Jan 1st in Queen Charlotte out from Endeavour Inlet heading south and was painting the boat while moving, there was never a so called "mystery ketch" rafted up in the bay, it didn't exist except for the false description given by Guy Wallace and from this it expanded into a belief that it did bringing all the Ketch spotters into play, the Police had no interest in reported sightings of Ketches as they had proven beyond doubt that a Ketch had no involvement, the so called "Mystery Man" with the longish hair and Scott Watson were two different people given that this "Mystery Man" was reported to be in the bar 2 hours before Scott Watson came ashore. Ask Yourself why an innocent Man would find it necessary to outright lie unless He was attempting to cover something up, these lies designed to hide the truth are a display of guilt and lastely be mindful that circumstantial evidence can be stronger than DNA.

[@lisaberland225]

My partner was in prison with Scott, and he knows he is an innocent man... Scott is a good man, wrongly accused. I smell corruption. Let Scott Watson out because he is innocent... we all know this has happened to other people in the past...compensation will never make up for an innocent man, losing his freedom to be with his family whenever he chooses, work freely, to have his own family, to travel...this has been an eye opener to say the least.

[@musicians_with_gunts]

Your "partner" must be super smart not to fall for the manipulation of a psychopath. What evidence do you have other than the word of a criminal? Did he have an "honest face"?

[@5150show]

Exactly

[@musicians_with_gunts]

The police botched the investigation, like they did with the Bain case. It doesn't follow that Watson is innocent. A) The Police F-ed up B) Watson is guilty Both A and B are true.

[@musicians_with_gunts]

@@5150show I believe criminals based on assertion alone. She offered no evidence other than "my criminal boyfriend said".

[@minmaree1254]

@@musicians_with_gunts She has given as much evidence as you have regarding what your father said.

[@BarryNewman-ul6ui]

Talk of "Mystery Ketch" with Ben and Olivia seen onboard, total rubbish, on board this "Mystery Ketch" were two people and both were clearly identified along with the vessel, the "Mystery Ketch" only existed between the ears of Guy Wallace. Why all the lies from Watson ? He never went to Erie Bay on Jan 1st, He didn't paint His boat in Erie Bay on Jan 1st, He was in Queen Charlotte sound at 10am Jan 1st heading south out from Endevour Inlet identified by several witness's one of which knew Him personally and they waved to one another, there was another male on board who was this person ? this person was painting Watsons Blade, Blade was seen in Shakespere Bay at between 12 noon and 2pm, seen in Waikawa Bay between 3pm and 4 pm, seen entering Erie Bay at 12 noon on Jan 2nd and departing around 1pm, Watson had the caretaker of Erie Bay lie along with his two children about going to Erie Bay and painting His boat there on Jan 1st, people in Erie Bay Jan 1st said no boat was there all day up to 6pm, other people at a batch in Erie Bay who arrived very late Jan 1st said no boat there on the morning of Jan 2nd, the clothes Watson wore on Dec 31st/Jan 1st have not been found the reason being of course to destroy possible trace evidence. Why would an innocent Man lie as to His movements ? the reason is simply to create a false trail as the correct one is the only one (although doubtful given the terrain) to provide anything of value to an investigation. Look at the circumstantial evidence here and forget chasing non existent Mystery Ketches or the twists and turns surrounding the hair samples, the witness statements made after talking amongst themselves creating confusion, about long hair or short hair as it really boils down to what can be open to question and the Circumstantial Evidence which compounded can be stronger than DNA. Put some thought into that other male person on board Blade at 10am on Jan 1st as i would be interested as to whether someone out there has the same notion as Myself being that Watson had an accomplice ?

[@musicians_with_gunts]

I know for a FACT that Scott Watson is GUILTY. My late father was a lawyer, and he confided to my mother that, while talking shop with Watson's, he matter-of-factly said that Watson confessed at the outset. That's why Watson didn't testify; Due to legal ethics, legal counsel can not call for a client to testify in their defense when said counsel knows the client is guilty, only to plead guilty and ask for the mercy of the court. We should be asking where Ben Smart and Olivia Hopes bodies are so their families get closure.

[@johankaarekarlsen1383]

Great interviewing again a Mike👍.

[@Chopper650]

Hearsay is not fact

[@Marius_vanderLubbe]

Yes, lets convict people on hearsay.

[@musicians_with_gunts]

@@Marius_vanderLubbe Ask his lawyer then. He didn't testify did he...

[@mikethatguy2103]

we look forward too your appearance in the dock this week.

[@petertilsley3015]

Watson guilty as sin.....

[@bosshogg1915]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKuXo3tmedqYaK8

[@keithhayman8959]

What a bout the book by Ian Wishaw ? .

[@minmaree1254]

What about the documentary by the South Island journalist?

[@musicians_with_gunts]

@@minmaree1254 Two books.

[@musicians_with_gunts]

​@@minmaree1254 What about Watson's clothing which he was wearing that night which he destroyed? What about Watson telling the police "What took you so long?" when he was arrested?

[@minmaree1254]

@@musicians_with_gunts Have you listened to what this guy is saying?

[@minmaree1254]

@@musicians_with_gunts Who said Scott Watson said that? If it was the Police, I would be very skeptical. What about the ketch that was seen in the sounds that the Police weren't interested in? What about all the witnesses who went to the Police and they wouldn't listen to them? What about the guy who was driving the water taxi who said repeatedly the guy who was in the water taxi wasn't Scott Watson?

[@FrancescaLee-np3qr]

What about the yaught that people saw a huge yaught and 2 people on it

[@FrancescaLee-np3qr]

Not scot Watsons yaught

[@FrancescaLee-np3qr]

They were sailing off in the distance

[@FrancescaLee-np3qr]

I think Scott Watson is innocent and always have that I've been fascinated by the case

[@FrancescaLee-np3qr]

For years I think scot Watson should be innocent

[@BarryNewman-ul6ui]

Clearly identified as the Ketch "Alliance" and the 2 people on board have also been identified neither of which carry the name Ben or Olivia.

[@stollingrone]

If Scott Watson didn't do it, who did? Watson is clearly guilty.

[@mrsANGRYh]

Watch some videos on the mystery ketch. You may change your mind.

[@arnoldbraunschweiger4828]

No he's not...they've basically got nothing on him....

[@syndicateproductionstarana4925]

Free Scott Watson

[@BarryNewman-ul6ui]

Wouldn't by any chance be the same Scott Watson that made the statement "You'll never find the f****n bodies" ?

[@Marius_vanderLubbe]

Never liked Olivia Hopes father. Smarmy type.

[@pgreen8531]

Political push by his interference

[@1112-g1x]

yea i knw wht u mean i knw his type small minded middle class kiwi, ther good honest types but vry blk n white thinkers

[@mattblack9069]

The father apparently did not like the bf

[@mrsANGRYh]

Watson is innocent.

[@seanodwyer4322]

ahh did itt

[@melodymacken9788]

Stop doing the pose with the arms behind the head. It's arrogant. 😊

[@paton57]

It's called relaxing

[@mikeburrow8176]

It's a human response that invokes relaxation. It opens the lungs to allow more oxygen in. Dumbarse.

[@YEALANDS2024]

How ridiculous stop policing people.

[@stevemilton9304]

bent cops are the normal in nz under bent govt bent judges bent media

[@rawirigilgen6846]

Guilty as sin. Watson should tell the cops what he did with those poor kids. Throw the key away.

[@FKTHESYSTEM063]

Watch the mystery ketch 3part series.

[@mAKETU13]

You're just guessing. You don't know anything

[@barloswkitheweasel1836]

I heard ther was a woman called Hershey an American who went missing on the Great Barrier Island and Blade was seen in the area. I love a bit of gossip. I dont think he killed these two though. Definatelt the Ketch gets him off for me

[@MoOuzoun]

Please can I call you