Jurors told case likely to turn on four issues

By Eugene Bignham

WELLINGTON - The judge presiding over the Marlborough Sounds murder trial says he expects the case to boil down to about four issues.

Justice Heron told the 12 jurors that the Crown would present a large amount of circumstantial evidence against Scott Watson.

"It may seem such a long and difficult matter but I just have to reassure you these cases tend to come down to three or four major issues and I don't think this case will be any different."

The trial of 27-year-old Watson, accused of the murder of Olivia Hope and Ben Smart on New Year's Day, 1998, began yesterday with the selection of the jury in the High Court at Wellington.

Seven men and five women were sworn in and addressed by Justice Heron, who reminded them they were to disregard anything they had heard of the case.

"It would be most unusual if any of you have not heard of the circumstances involving this case," he said.

"Unless you were out of New Zealand at this time it would be unusual if you had not heard or read something about it.

"It's important that any extraneous information, any rumours or gossip ... put them to one side because the law is that the accused is to be tried on the evidence in this courtroom and not on anything else."

The Crown is due to begin presenting its evidence against Watson on Monday, almost a year after his arrest for the murders.

The young friends disappeared after New Year's celebrations at the Furneaux Lodge in Endeavour Inlet. Their bodies have not been found despite one of the country's most extensive police inquiries.

Justice Heron said the trial was expected to last three months.

He told the jurors that if any of them were approached by anyone regarding the trial, they were to alert him immediately.

"If necessary, the police will become involved."

The jury was chosen from a panel of about 90 people. Of the 28 people called, five were stood aside by the judge for personal reasons, and two were excused because they recognised people on a list of witnesses. Nine people were challenged by either the Crown or defence lawyers.

Watson formally pleaded not guilty to the two charges during his appearance.