Anger over Haig ruling

A 31-year-old Nelson man says he wants a chance to challenge allegations he is a double killer.

David Hogan said he was angry the Court of Appeal had quashed Rex Haig's murder conviction, adding the decision implied he had killed two men.

"I want to go to court on this to clear my name," Hogan told the Sunday Star-Times. "I didn't get a fair say, I didn't get a say. I'm spewing that the judges didn't call me into court, at least to defend my case. If Haig is cleared, it makes it seem I'm guilty as sin."

Haig, the ex-husband of Hogan's aunt, was convicted in 1995 of murdering Riverton fisherman Mark Roderique in 1994. Hogan has denied committing or confessing to the murders, saying he told the truth at Haig's trial. He received immunity from prosecution and $13,000 to testify against Haig but is protected if he has lied, raising the possibility he could still face charges. He said he did not care about immunity.

"I would have rather been charged with murder and the jury would have sorted it out," Hogan said.

Police told Hogan the day the Appeal Court decision was released they had no plans to prosecute him and still backed him.

- NZPA