Watson alibi witness makes `mistake' over time of visit

By Eugene Bingham and Alison Horwood

A man Scott Watson relied on for his alibi has changed his story on the whereabouts of the murder accused on New Year's Day, 1998.

The father-of-two said yesterday that he was "genuinely mistaken" when he told police Watson came to see him at Eerie Bay, Tory Channel, between 10 am and midday. The man, who has name suppression, now says he did not see Watson until after 5 pm. The High Court at Wellington also heard that Watson phoned the man in the days following his visit to check his alibi and tell him the police would be coming to see him.

Watson denies murdering Olivia Hope and Ben Smart following a New Year's party at Furneaux Lodge.

He told the police he spent most of January 1 at Eerie Bay, but the Crown alleges he zig-zagged the Marlborough Sounds in his yacht, Blade, before arriving there to change its appearance.

At the start of the eighth week of the trial yesterday, the jury heard that the man in Eerie Bay and his children were watching the Auckland Cup race meeting when Watson turned up. By checking on the timing of a specific race, he was now able to say it was about 5 pm.

Under questioning from Paul Davison, QC, the man said his initial recollection was that it was 10 am or midday. "That's when I presumed he got there. I made an honest mistake."

Justice Heron asked the man whether Watson had suggested the earlier time during their phone call in early January.

"No, he asked me `what time did I get there'."

The man also said Watson made two further phone calls to discuss developments in the police inquiry.

On the first occasion, Watson told the man his sister, Sandy, had been taken in for questioning. A few days later, he said his boat had been seized.