Judge ticks off Watson lawyer over opening address

By Eugene Bingham and Alison Horwood

WELLINGTON - Scott Watson's lawyers began the defence case yesterday, but the trial judge did not approve of what one had to say.

Justice Heron twice stopped Mike Antunovic during the lawyer's opening address and told him his remarks were inappropriate.

Mr Antunovic had begun by dissecting the crown case and explaining why his client could not have been the man last seen with Olivia Hope and Ben Smart.

He said the evidence of water taxi driver Guy Wallace and passengers Hayden Morresey and Sarah Dyer questioned whether the boat Olivia and Ben were dropped at was Watson's yacht, Blade.

Two others, Donald Anderson and Dave Mahony, placed Watson back on his yacht alone.

"The defence says to you [their] evidence tells you very clearly the mystery man can't possibly be Scott Watson and that the evidence tells you the boat that Olivia Hope and Ben Smart were last seen to board could not possibly have been the yacht Blade."

Justice Heron interrupted when Mr Antunovic began recounting details of their evidence.

"An opening is not a review of the evidence, it's really an outline of the evidence that you are to call," the judge said.

Mr Antunovic continued analysing the crown evidence until he was stopped again.

Justice Heron: I must direct you now to get on with the evidence you are about to give.

Mr Antunovic: All right, sir. Well, on that basis I will disregard more material the defence wishes to put before the jury. If I'm not allowed to I will just put it to one side.

Justice Heron: You are not allowed to, and I want you to concentrate on the evidence to be called ... I've allowed you considerable latitude already. Now let's get on with it. I don't detract from the remarks. It's just that they are not appropriate at this time.

Mr Antunovic: In my submission, sir, I disagree ... That's the way it has to be.

Justice Heron: Mr Antunovic, it's the way it has to be because I have directed it to be. Now please do so without provoking me any further.

The defence case is expected to finish tomorrow.