KEY POINTS:
A life serving farmers at the Te Kauwhata branch of a farm supplies store and playing golf at the local country course is what David Bain is yearning for.
But the ordinary is about to change for the murder-accused, as he begins preparing for what is shaping up to be the country's most exhaustive campaign for criminal justice.
When Bain sat before a television at long-term supporter Joe Karam's home late yesterday to hear the Solicitor-General's decision, he cut a lonely figure in the centre of the lounge.
At the french doors on the back porch, several photographers and television cameramen jostled for position as they focused on Bain's face.
Mr Karam stood behind Bain, talking on his cellphone, already aware the pair were preparing for what will be the most scrutinised courtroom trial in recent history.
A few minutes later, Bain came out to speak to the media. He could not refer to any of the charges, nor the related trial, as the Solicitor-General had warned that doing so could lead to contempt of court charges.
So Bain and the media focused on the "positive" news of his new job. "I'm really looking forward to getting into it, getting involved and finding some formality in life," he said.
At PGG Wrightson he would be doing a "bit of stock maintenance and a bit of administration". "It's a great wee introduction and will give me the opportunity to find out what it's all about and find my place in the world."
Bain had played golf yesterday - twice hitting double figures and "we only had time to play two holes" - and now "I'm going to relax and discuss some of the ramifications of things."
He ducked into the kitchen for a hot drink before returning briefly to answer another media request.
Taking over the public relations duties, Mr Karam told the media scrum he did not know when the trial would begin. Lawyer Michael Reed QC was in Europe so nothing much would happen between now and then.
"He did suffer a miscarriage of justice. Nobody has said 'Sorry David Bain for the 12 years you have spent in prison through no fault of your own'. On the other hand, now all the people baying for a trial to see what happened have got the opportunity to have one, and we're comfortable with that prospect."
One of the "prime planks" of the Crown's case at the first trial was the notion that there was no evidence that Bain's father Robin committed the murders. "Well that is not going to be the case at a second trial," Mr Karam said.
He rejected a suggestion the pair were facing a stressful time ahead.
"Not really, we expected this. David's been slam-dunked from the first day police turned up and mucked everything up in the house and trampled blood all over the show. So one more slam-dunk isn't much and the end of the road is in sight."
