David Bain: I'm so relieved

David Bain is supported by Richard (left) and Joe Karam outside the High Court at Christchurch minutes after the jury delivered its verdict. Photo / Simon Baker

David Bain says he still loves his father, but stops short of saying he forgives him for the murder of his family.

Mr Bain, 37, gathered with friends and supporters last night at a Christchurch hotel to celebrate after extraordinary scenes as he was acquitted in New Zealand's biggest criminal trial of the murders of his parents, two sisters and brother.

In an interview there with the Weekend Herald, Mr Bain said he was "still feeling a bit on the numb side".

"But I have had a good blub, and I have been able to sort of release some of the pent-up emotions that have been building up over the last three months.

"Now that I am with my friends, I'm obviously more comfortable and able to relax a bit more. I'm just feeling, I guess, so relieved that this is over."

The jury was asked to consider if Mr Bain shot dead his family on June 20, 1994, or if it was his father Robin, 58, who killed them and then himself.

Yesterday, the jurors found David Bain not guilty.

Mr Bain said he still loved his father despite the verdict.

"The only way I can explain that is that he was my father. And my mother, my sisters and my brother, they are my family.

"They are all I ever knew as the close people in my life up until that point. And so, they will always have a close and very strong part of my life. There's nothing ever that's going to change that."

Asked if he could forgive his father, Mr Bain said: "As far as that question is concerned, I would just prefer to stick to that point at this stage. Any in-depth discussion is for another time."

He said his chief supporter, former All Black Joe Karam, and Mr Karam's family had become "like a second family" to him.

Mr Karam said Mr Bain had been to his family weddings, and he looked forward to going to Mr Bain's wedding one day.

Asked what was ahead for him now, Mr Bain said: "Well, I haven't thought about that until ... obviously this moment is now a chance to start thinking about that type of stuff. Plans will have to be developed.

"Up until this point I have just not had the opportunity to make those sorts of plans or decisions.

"At this moment, I can't think clearly enough to string a sentence together. When I wake up tomorrow I'll start making some plans."

Some of the jury cried and hugged Mr Bain after their emotional verdicts were delivered.

Last night, two jurors were seen coming out of the hotel where Mr Bain was celebrating.

Earlier, hundreds of people gathered at the High Court at Christchurch to see Mr Bain emerge from the court an innocent man after 14 years.

Inside the court, when the jury forewoman delivered the first of five verdicts that guaranteed his acquittal, Mr Bain smiled and glanced up at the public gallery, which erupted in cheering.

At least one juror wept as the verdicts were delivered.

The five not guilty verdicts came after five hours and 50 minutes of jury deliberation and a trial lasting three months.

Mr Karam and other close supporters hugged and sobbed after the verdicts were delivered.

Mr Bain left the courtroom and was met in the foyer by supporters, whom he hugged.

Mr Karam appeared the most unruffled as Mr Bain and his supporters made their way out of the courthouse.

"I'm not very excited," he said. "I've known this for years."

One jury member stopped Mr Karam to ask for his autograph. On the ground floor of the courthouse, a few jurors came forward to hug Mr Bain.

Outside, Mr Bain struggled to find words, but said: "All I can say is that without Joe and his solid strength, without the love of the people that have supported me since day one, I wouldn't have made it through this far."

Mr Karam said what really mattered "is that the truth, as I said 13 years ago, has finally fallen where it has always been".

He said he could not have "fought the evil I have been forced to fight" without Mr Bain.

Mr Bain's head lawyer, Michael Reed QC, said the next fight would be to obtain compensation for his client.

"Of course I believe that should happen after 13 years in prison."

Long-time friend and David Bain supporter Patti Napier told the Weekend Herald that it was a fantastic day but "a real mixture of emotions".

"Somehow deep down inside me I knew this day would happen. And I was really confident, but it was excruciating waiting."

Christina Gibb, another friend and supporter, said it was huge relief after "such an emotional journey".

Joe Karam's son Matthew, who was part of the legal team defending Mr Bain, said he felt absolute elation.

- David Fisher