Murder on the Blade?

Subtitled A Journalist's View, this award-winning documentary makes the case that Scott Watson shouldn't have been imprisoned for murdering Ben Smart and Olivia Hope — because he couldn't have done it. Returning to Endeavour Inlet, veteran director Keith Hunter talks to witnesses, and argues the prosecution fumbled vital details of the murderer's yacht and description, then advanced a new theory without evidence to back it. Hunter went on to write 2007 book Trial by Trickery, further critiquing what he calls “New Zealand's most blatantly dishonest prosecution”.

The NZ Herald reported on polls that had been taken in April 2002 and January 2004, prior to and just after the broadcast (of Murder on the Blade), on public opinion as to the guilt of Peter Ellis, David Bain and Scott Watson. In this period there had been all but no change in opinion about Ellis and Bain ... (but), there had been a remarkable change in views as to Watson. In 2002 59% of New Zealanders had thought him guilty while 24% were unsure. In January 2004 the guilty opinion had dropped to 44% while the unsure rose to 28%.

– Keith Hunter, on his website

Key Cast & Crew

Alison Wall

Wardrobe , As: Crown Prosecutor

Keith Hunter

Director, Writer, Presenter, Producer

John Watson

As: Defence Counsel

Kevin J Wilson

As: Crown Prosecutor

Michael Hurst

As: Defence Counsel

Paul Gittins

As: Crown Prosecutor