Rex Haig's supporters want murder inquiry reopened

Rex Haig's supporters are urging the police to overturn an immunity deal struck with murder trial witness David Hogan and begin a fresh investigation into the killing of Southland fisherman Mark Roderique.

The Court of Appeal this week quashed Rex Haig's murder conviction and found an "evidential basis" for suggesting Mr Hogan killed Mr Roderique in South Westland in 1994.

Mr Hogan and Mr Roderique were members of Mr Haig's fishing boat crew.

Mr Hogan was granted immunity from prosecution by police to testify against Mr Haig in his murder trial, but that immunity is conditional on his telling the truth.

Supporters of Mr Haig said the full evidence must now be re-examined. They believe the immunity condition has been breached.

Mr Haig's lawyer, Jonathan Eaton, said it would be "entering new territory" in New Zealand to overturn an immunity from prosecution.

A spokeswoman for the Crown Law Office yesterday refused to make any comment on the case or the prospect of a new investigation.

Police national headquarters spokesman Jon Neilson said no decision had been made on further investigations, as the Court of Appeal decision was still being digested.

Mr Eaton said the police would have to seriously consider looking into the evidence presented to the Court of Appeal on Mr Haig's behalf.

"To simply close the door on it all and say, 'Well, we are not changing our view as to whether we got the right man' I think is pig-headed, and would be a reflection of the attitude they have taken dating way back to a time even before Rex was arrested."

Former high-ranking police detective Bryan Rowe, who carried out private investigations that helped to quash the conviction against Mr Haig, said new evidence - a signed affidavit - had come into his possession since the appeal hearing and could be "significant" in any fresh inquiry.

"We now have a situation where police investigated a death and they accepted the version given to them by Mr Hogan, and he gave evidence which is now being discredited by the Court of Appeal," Mr Rowe said.

"That being the case, police are duty-bound to go back to square one and re-assess the totality of the evidence now available and see what they believe they should do from there."

The Court of Appeal decision did not leave much doubt that Mr Hogan had breached the conditions of his immunity, Mr Rowe said.

"And therefore that leaves him open to prosecution by police or by anyone else."

A bid for Government compensation for Mr Haig was an "issue on the table", Mr Eaton said. "It's reasonable for Rex to take the view that 'Am I not entitled to something to compensate me for what has gone on?"'