The 1998 deaths of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope remain one of New Zealand’s most talked about cases.

Scott Watson has spent the last 25 years behind bars after being convicted of murdering them, despite no bodies ever being found.

Now, Watson is heading back to the courtroom four years after his case was referred back to the Court of Appeal, in what is his last shot at clearing his name.

Today on The Front Page, we’re going back to 1999 with NZ Herald senior journalist Carolyne Meng Yee and editorial leader Oskar Alley who covered Watson’s first trial, and then get a rundown on the appeal case with investigative reporter David Fisher. 

For more on the Scott Watson case, listen to Chasing Ghosts: Murder in the Sounds wherever you get your podcast. 

And for more on Scott Watson's trial, click here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/double-murderer-scott-watson-to-stay-behind-bars-as-parole-board-seek-clarity-over-differing-psychological-reports/QXMO2GJ32JFRRMHF36Y77B3PS4/

A previous version of this episode didn’t include the fact hairs were found on a blanket on the Blade and two of those hairs on the blanket were found to have DNA characteristics that matched Olivia. The split in a bag containing comparison hairs was also taken from a hairbrush in Olivia’s home. Neither Police nor ESR took the hairbrush from her home.

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Sound Engineer: Paddy Fox
Producer: Ethan Sills

The 1998 deaths of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope remain one of New Zealand’s most talked about cases.
Scott Watson has spent the last 25 years behind bars after being convicted of murdering them, despite no bodies ever being found.
Now, Watson is heading back to the courtroom four years after his case was referred back to the Court of Appeal, in what is his last shot at clearing his name.
Today on The Front Page, we’re going back to 1999 with NZ Herald senior journalist Carolyne Meng Yee and editorial leader Oskar Alley who covered Watson’s first trial, and then get a rundown on the appeal case with investigative reporter David Fisher. 
For more on the Scott Watson case, listen to Chasing Ghosts: Murder in the Sounds wherever you get your podcast. 
And for more on Scott Watson's trial, click here: <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/double-murderer-scott-watson-to-stay-behind-bars-as-parole-board-seek-clarity-over-differing-psychological-reports/QXMO2GJ32JFRRMHF36Y77B3PS4/">https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/double-murderer-scott-watson-to-stay-behind-bars-as-parole-board-seek-clarity-over-differing-psychological-reports/QXMO2GJ32JFRRMHF36Y77B3PS4/</a> 
A previous version of this episode didn’t include the fact hairs were found on a blanket on the Blade and two of those hairs on the blanket were found to have DNA characteristics that matched Olivia. The split in a bag containing comparison hairs was also taken from a hairbrush in Olivia’s home. Neither Police nor ESR took the hairbrush from her home.
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Host: Chelsea Daniels Sound Engineer: Paddy Fox Producer: Ethan Sills

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.

Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. 

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.
Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture.&nbsp;
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Scott Watson appeal: Why the controversial case is going back to the courtroom

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/cc0eee67-8e34-46bc-b962-b18700271add/transcript

Advertisement