Doubt: The Scott Watson Case

This New Zealand TV Award-nominated docudrama explores one of Aotearoa’s most infamous criminal cases. Ben Smart and Olivia Hope were last seen in the Marlborough Sounds early on 1 January 1998. In May 1999 Scott Watson was found guilty of their murders. Alongside extensive dramatic reenactments, Massey University law professor Chris Gallavin examines the role of the media, witness accounts, the investigation and the trial in an attempt to shine light on whether the right person is in jail. This opening excerpt looks at how Hope and Smart's paths first intersected with Watson's.

I believe that the conviction of Scott Watson for the murder of Ben and Olivia is a miscarriage of justice case. I'm not saying that the Crown stitched him up. I don't know whether in reality he killed Ben and Olivia, and I'm not saying the defence did a bad job. The Scott Watson conviction is a miscarriage because the investigation and the trial was unfair.

– Chris Gallavin outlines his thesis at the start of the documentary

Key Cast & Crew

Paul Sutorius

Editor

David Paul

Cinematographer

Chris Gallavin

Presenter

Phil Brown

As: Scott Watson

Yvonne Mackay

Director, Producer

David Brechin-Smith

Writer