Bain 'confident' of handling any verdict

David Bain stands in the dock while awaiting the verdict. Photo / Pool

David Bain admitted yesterday he had no idea what verdict the jury in his retrial would return. But the 37-year-old told reporters he remained confident in himself throughout the 58-day hearing.

"When I walked up there [to the dock for the verdict], yes, of course I was nervous because I didn't know what the answer was going to be, but I was confident in myself. I was going to be able to handle whatever the decision was."

Bain spent Friday night at a Christchurch hotel celebrating with friends and supporters after the jury found him not guilty.

"Over the last 24 hours there's been little sleep had by most of us. But it's been pretty amazing being able to walk outside today and feel what I'm feeling."

Bain said he was "naive and young" when he went to prison aged 22 and would have to reassess his plans. He would spend a few days with Joe Karam and the pair were planning a holiday.

Bain said it was hard to see crime scene photos of his slain family members during the retrial but his friends helped him through. "They've come in, they've made me laugh and kept me happy and fed me up on jokes and stupid stories of life on the outside."

He said Karam was his rock. "The days that I felt that I couldn't carry on he got me back going again."

Bain was "not ready to go it alone" and particularly needed Karam's help with handling the media and deciding where to live. That decision will likely depend on what compensation he receives.

The head of his defence team, Michael Reed QC, said Bain would be applying for compensation and could be in line for at least $100,000 for each of his 13 years in prison.

Deborah Read, who Bain stayed with on his release from prison, said her friend "was not able to inherit the family estate" and relatives got his "inheritance".

She hoped they would "look into themselves" and help Bain financially.

Relatives contacted by the Herald on Sunday wouldn't comment on the inheritance.

"We need time," said Valerie Boyd, one of Margaret Bain's sisters. Bain's uncle and aunt Bob and Jan Clark said Read's suggestion was "interesting".