Haig backs justice review body

Published: 7:31AM Thursday August 24, 2006 Source: RNZ

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Rex Haig, whose conviction for murder has been quashed by the Court of Appeal, is backing calls for New Zealand to set up a special organisation to investigate miscarriages of justice.

Haig's conviction 12 year's ago was unanimously quashed on Wednesday.

A retired high court judge, Sir Thomas Thorp, this year called for a special body to be set up along the lines of Britain's Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Haig served almost 10 years in jail for the murder of fellow fisherman Mark Roderique off the West Coast in 1994. He says such a group would save someone else having to go through what he did. 

A parliamentary select committee also made reference to such a group and the Ministry of Justice is planning to look at the issue, but has yet to work out the scope of its inquiry.

The British commission has freed 200 prisoners, after investigating 8,000 claims in 10 years.

New Zealand has had high profile cases such as Arthur Alan Thomas and David Doherty, but Thorp said if the British system applied in this country, about 30 people now in jail would be freed.

National's justice spokesman Richard Worth says his party has been pushing for an independent review body since 2003.

Haig also says he hopes police can have another look at the case.

He says evidence showed his nephew David Hogan had lied throughout the proceedings and that should be considered by police.

The case was referred back to the Court of Appeal in 2004 to weigh up confessions by Hogan.

On Wednesday the Court of Appeal permanently closed the case with a unanimous decision to set the conviction aside with a ruling there should be no retrial.

Haig's lawyer Jonathon Eaton says he will be looking at whether to apply for compensation on behalf of his client. He says he and Haig are still gathering their thoughts following the decision.

Eaton says the fact the Court of Appeal ruling fell short of a full acquittal should not make it any more difficult to make a compensation claim.

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