KEY POINTS:
David Bain supporter Joe Karam today welcomed the Privy Council decision ordering a retrial for the man imprisoned for the murder of his parents and three siblings.
"I have not seen the decision yet but there has been a substantial miscarriage of justice in the David Bain case,"
the former All Black told NZPA.
"I have been saying that and David Bain has been saying that for 12 years.
"So I think it is time for the people who have been fighting David Bain and me, to reflect upon what they have been doing all these years and the politics and the personal interests that have driven the fight against David Bain."
Mr Karam said he did not want to comment further as had not seen the actual judgment.
Bain's lawyer Michael Reed QC said he was thrilled with the Privy Council decision.
"We just heard the decision that we won a retrial and it is just fantastic. We won a new trial," he told NZPA.
"From here, we go on to a new trial unless the Crown decides it won't bother and they should not bother."
Mr Reed said the question of Bain remaining in custody was subject to a bail application.
"We will be making a bail application to have Bain released in the meantime."
He said he was simply thrilled that justice had been achieved at long last.
"We are delighted with the result."
Detective Superintendent Malcolm Burgess said police would examine the detail of the Privy Council decision referring Bain's case back to New Zealand courts before deciding how to proceed.
"When we have properly considered the decision we expect to work with Crown Law and the Dunedin Crown Solicitor to determine the process to be adopted from here."
Mr Burgess said he could not comment on the specifics of the case or the issues raised on appeal, because the matter was now back before the courts and it was sub judice.
Christina Gibb, a long-time friend of David Bain, said the decision was the best his supporters could hope for. They had realised there was a very low probability of Bain being released straight away.
"It's the best outcome we could hope for. It feels like a real big turning point. Recognising there was a miscarriage of justice is really important."
The good news was tempered by the fact everyone would have to go through another trial "all over again", she said.
"It's taking a while to sink in."
Bain supporters were indebted to Jo Karam for his perseverance with the case.
- NZPA
