Timeline: The David Bain case

David Bain

June 1994: Five members of the Bain family found shot dead in their Every St, Dunedin, home. The sole surviving member, David, is arrested for the murders.

May 1995: David Bain convicted of the five murders and sentenced to a minimum 16 years in prison.

December 1995: Court of Appeal dismisses Bain's appeal.

April 1996: The Privy Council refuses to hear a further appeal.

November 1997: A Police Complaints Authority inquiry in response to accusations against the police in Joe Karam's book, David and Goliath, upholds the police investigation into the case.

June 1998: Bain petitions the Governor General for a pardon - centred on claims of errors in the Crown's case at trial. The Ministry of Justice launches an inquiry into the disputed evidence.

June 2000: A defamation case against Joe Karam by two police officers, over accusations in David and Goliath, ends when the defamation claim is rejected by a High Court jury.

December 2000: Justice Minister Phil Goff announces the ministry's inquiry has found no miscarriage of justice. However, because of public concern about the Crown case, Goff advises the Governor-General to seek the Court of Appeal's view on four issues of evidence.

December 2002: The Appeal Court reports back to the Governor General that there is a sufficient possibility of a miscarriage of justice arising from the supposed errors to warrant a full reconsideration of the case.

February 2003: The necessary formal order is signed to send the case back to the Court of Appeal.

December 2003: A second appeal against Bain's conviction is dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

April 2005: Bain supporters hope to file papers next month seeking a Privy Council appeal.