'Accomplice' claims Nicholas reward

A man claiming he was involved in the murder of Hawkes Bay farmer Jack Nicholas wants immunity from prosecution and a $50,000 reward for information about the killer.

He claims to be an accessory to the fatal shooting last August 27 at Mr Nicholas' remote property at Puketitiri, northwest of Napier.

He rang Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Garth McVicar last month and this week wrote to him demanding that a story be published in today's Weekend Herald "before the release of what you need".

The letter claims that Mr McVicar had agreed to "total, confidentional [sic] immunety [sic] from prosecution".

It said the reward should be paid by Mr McVicar in cash "at pre arranged time and place". The letter ends by saying he will be in touch.

Mr McVicar said he spoke to the man for about five minutes at the end of last month. He said he never guaranteed immunity but told the man he would take any information to police.

The trust has raised $37,000 towards a reward but the man said he wanted $50,000 if the information led to a conviction.

Mr McVicar said he had dealt with cranks in the case but it was interesting that the man said he wanted the money after a conviction.

"Most people want the money before they give any information."

Mr McVicar encouraged the man to make contact again.

Detective Inspector Godfrey Watson, who is heading the hunt for the killer, said police had received "four or five" similar calls.

He said police could not grant immunity. The decision was made by the Crown Law Office.