KEY POINTS:
Sixty per cent of people believe David Bain is not guilty of the murders of his family, a Herald-DigiPoll survey shows.
Almost the same amount, 57 per cent, believe a new trial should not proceed.
When approached in Huntly for his response to the survey, Bain was happy to talk about life on the outside but offered little comment on the poll result, leaving supporter Joe Karam to do the talking.
Mr Karam said the poll reflected the feeling he had picked up from around the country during the past two weeks.
He was pleased at the survey finding because it was up on the last substantial scientific poll conducted in 2003, which showed about 40 per cent thought Bain was innocent, 25 per cent thought he was guilty and the rest did not know.
He said the new poll result was a reflection of the feeling and depth of understanding people now had of the case.
"The Privy Council has said after 12 years there has been a substantial miscarriage of justice and people here had always suspected that but hoped it was not the case. [The poll's] also a reflection of people seeing David Bain for the man he is."
Just 10 per cent of those surveyed last week believed Bain was guilty of the 1994 slayings, although 31 per cent believed a new trial should take place.
Mr Karam was against a new trial, saying it would cost up to $4 million in legal aid, with up to 100 witnesses to be called by the defence from around the world.
And the new evidence to be presented would make it impossible for a guilty verdict to be reached.
"It will be two trials in one. Part of our defence will concentrate on Robin Bain. We have a stronger case against Robin than the Crown has against David."
Despite the poll result, Mr Karam believed an impartial jury could still be found should the matter proceed through the courts.
He accepted that efforts in making Bain accessible to the media had helped to build a positive public image and, therefore, could have been a factor in the survey result.
"I saw the real David Bain 11 years ago and he's exactly the same guy I met then. He's not the lanky, nerdy, awful-jersey-wearing, pimply-faced psycho police have tried to portray him as."
Mr Karam said there had always been a solid base of support for Bain, with more than 50 per cent believing him to be innocent. Bain said he was enjoying Te Kauwhata and strolling the streets of Huntly. He had not encountered any negative feedback since being released and was finding the weather warm. "I'm just enjoying meeting people."
