Joe Karam has made several defamation claims over alleged statements on Justice For Robin Bain's Facebook site and Counterspin. Photo / Janna Dixon
Defamation action by David Bain' supporter Joe Karam against members of Justice for Robin Bain (JFRB) was back in court in Auckland today.
Mr Karam's lawyers, along with respondents Kent Parker, from JFRB, and Vic Purkiss were at the High Court in Auckland for a hearing regarding the defamation case.
Mr Karam, who was not at court this morning, has made several defamation claims over alleged statements on JFRB's Facebook site and Counterspin.
The High Court website said today's hearing was to cover applications for orders striking out various defences, for particular discovery and for an order setting aside the defendants' claim to privilege.
The hearing was held in chambers and media were not allowed to attend.
JFRB is an activist group against David Bain, who was convicted in 1995 of murdering his parents, Robin and Margaret, two sisters Laniet and Arawa and brother Stephen in their Dunedin home.
In 2007 the Privy Council quashed his convictions on the grounds of a substantial miscarriage of justice and ordered a retrial.
He was found not guilty at a retrial in June 2009 after his defence team argued that his father, Robin, had shot the other four family members before turning the gun on himself.
JFRB has since started a petition campaigning against possible compensation to David Bain for his years in prison.
He would need to prove on the balance of probabilities that he was innocent of the charges in order to win compensation.
- NZPA
