KEY POINTS:
Here is an earlier selection of Your Views:
Tony
I have concerns over the "fawning" attitude of the news media towards David Bain. It must be remembered that he still stands accused of one of New Zealand's worst mass-murders. I agree with Scott Optican that another trial must be held in order to 1) give David Bain the opportunity to clear his name once and for all, or 2) give the Crown the opportunity to put their evidence to a jury. This will at least allow for finality one way or the other, and if should be welcomed by David Bain and his supporters, given that he has the opportunity to clear his name once and for all. One other concern - wasn't David Bain bailed to live with Joe Karam at Te Kauwhata? Technically, isn't a stay at the Hilton or a fishing trip a breach of the terms and conditions of his bail, or is this merely a symptom of a justice system in meltdown mode?
Isis team in Vavau, Tonga
I am very happy for David Bain and congratulate Joe Karam and the other supporters who have fought so long and hard for his justice. Now, what about Scott Watson? His case is totally clear-cut. How can such obvious wrongs take so long to right?
Jens (Auckland)
To David Bain,How wonderful that you are finally out. I have followed your case since it first happened. I did not then and don't now think you did this crime. I feel sorry for your extended family that they have missed out on the chance to be part of your life and especially now when a terrible miscarriage of justice has happened, will not contact you, this is there shame to live with, not yours. Keep your head high and your hope up. A lot of people are supporting you with prayer and good wishes. Don't let anyone overwhelm you. Keep your faith in God and your friends not the Justice System. Enjoy the beginning of your life and may God Bless you and Keep you safe, both you and Joe K.
Lou (Australia)
Hi David, I think it is fantastic that you are now free! My heart went out to you when you were arrested and I felt then, and told everyone so, that they had got it so very wrong. I have followed your case for the last 13 years and hoped that you would be free again one day. This is the first steps towards your new life, embrace it and enjoy, I know that it won't be easy at times but understand that there are a lot of people out there that only wish you well. Be happy, don't let the nay sayers get you down and reach for the stars, because you deserve it sending you a big smile and love for your future from a girl who understands.
Jude (Tauranga)
Hi David, Congratulations on being freed at long last, I wish you all the very best for the future and Joe and his team have done a wonderful job.
Janine
Good on David. I dont know anything other than what I read in the papers and heard on the news but I always believed he was innocent. So he should party.
Joan Ruawai-Hamilton
His whole conviction and court case that followed were so one eyed, that David never had a chance. The Police were determined to convict him, and as far as the truth was concerned, that was not an issue. All of the evidence that was not produced has proved that the justice system is suspect, and so is the parliamentary process. There does not seem to be any consideration of how David must be feeling without having his Mum, Dad and siblings present , and the loyalty of his friends, Joe Karam etc. has shown that there is still some decency left in Aotearoa.
Dean
Has anyone considered that Robin may have killed his wife and children and, upon returning home, David killed his Dad, whether by outrage at seeing the bodies or by being requested to by Robin? You see, there is a number of possibilities in this case that how can anyone know what really happened, therefore one must give David the benefit of the doubt.
Surreal
It's surreal to see the media swarming around like David Bain had been found innocent! I don't know if he did it or not, but just try putting the evidence against Robin and see if there is any. Sure he had motive, but the evidence doesn't fit, so if it wasn't David (as so many believe) and it wasn't Robin...perhaps its was the dog? P.S. there are other books out there besides Joe's David & Goliath on this case!
Harriett
The Shipton case shocked the country. The Privy Council ruled a miscarriage of justice in the Bain murder case. These true facts have been released to the public and we are god-smacked! Good luck to David Bain and his friends who believed in him. Special admiration to Joe Karam and his family. What a wonderful friendship to have.
Treppin (Paraparaumu)
Best wishes hope all goes well for you hope you can clear your name.
Cherie
Well done about time. Good luck with what you and your friends do. Life for you can only get better, this is a new journey for you. You will do well in what you are about to do. Care take start enjoying life.
Gay
Hi! David, I wish you the very best for the future. You have been so blessed by so many people however, it was your own ability and strength to keep going that has brought you to this point in your life. There are many people that we can try and help, support and encourage however, so many of these people just dont listen because they dont have the courage and strength that you had. Bless you heaps. I wish you well for the years ahead.
Jann (Auckland)
Mother of 7 children and grandmother of 5 Congratulations for coming through an amazing struggle. God bless.
Denise Jennings Gilliland
In the eighties, I lived in Papua new Guinea and visited the Bain family there. It was a short visit but the area in which they lived was remote as have been many of the areas of PNG where I have lived . The one thing I never read in any of the Bain stories published is that Robyn Bain may well have been suffering from the mental disorientation which comes to expatriates when they return from remote locations. In expat terms we call it " going troppo" .Its not humourous its a reality.it may well be that in the time you have lived outside your own culture, you have lost the boundaries. David I remember you as a boy..I have worried about you for years.
Anne-Marie
This case just highlights to me why we should never have cut ties with the Privy Council. It has nothing to do with maturity as a nation and everything to do with having an independent authority so far removed from NZ that judicial bias doesn't come into the question. As a friend of mine said to me last night, it's no different than having a neutral ref at the rugby. We have lost a great resource.
Out west
I find it quite bizarre that people who don't know Bain from a bar of soap are prepared to fund his 'cause' and are 'elated' that he's released from prison ! I don't think either he or Joe Karam deserve any more press, can we please move on to worthwhile and interesting news events? No doubt there'll be a book released in time for Xmas and all David's fans can eagerly snap that up before it's relegated to the bargain bins in the new year!
Jomama (Glenbrook )
Congratulations to you David, I hope the events of yesterday are just the beginning of a wonderful,well deserved future for you. You obviously have some very loyal wonderful friends and you can take great comfort in that. All the best you so deserve it!
Natalie (Pokeno)
A huge congratulations goes to David Bain now out of prison he stood to his word, he was always innocent. The evidence was quickly destroyed once the house was burnt down (few days later) & how the NZ justice system failed & still convicted him for something he didn't do disgusts me. I am very, very happy he's now a free man & Joe Karam is one true friend & supporter through & through. All the best Dave hope you can move on with your life as normal as you possible!
Tex (Christchurch)
Re the David Bain case. It always was clear to me that David was innocent. The restriction on the presentation of certain evidence at his trials was inexcusable. I met David during my visits at Paparua prison where I took the opportunity to get to know him and tell him I believed in his innocence. To David, I wish you well for a great future.
Lilli
David Bain gets bail, good for him. I'm now 'Bain-ed out', can the media now please move on to another news? You all seemed determined to follow and report Bain's every breath and move.
Chris West
I believe a retrial would be vindictive, a waste of taxpayers money and not in the public interest. The problem with this case was the original police investigation. How he was brought to trial on the basis of that flawed investigation is beyond me. The whole thing has undermined public faith in the police, crown and courts. The tragedy here is that because of all this we will never know who carried out those appalling murders. David Bain deserves to be left alone to pick up the pieces of his life and the Government and Parliament needs to ensure our justice system is examined and overhauled to stop these appalling miscarriages of justice which are reflecting so badly on our society.
Annika (Auckland)
Congrats to David, about time! I am so pleased that finally justice has been served and you are now free to live your life. I followed the case for years and attended the luncheon with Ruben Carter a few years back. This just goes to show how your story has touched so many. Congrats to Joe and the team also, if it wasn't for your hard work David would not have this chance for the life he deserves. Good luck to you all.
AJ
I'm sickened by the response to Mr Bain's release. Yes, the original trials appear to have been flawed. But this man stands accused of slaughtering his entire family, that seems to have been forgotten in the media circus. Instead, Mr Bain is being treated as some sort of hero. There remains a large body of evidence against Mr Bain. I am still convinced that he is guilty. I think everyone needs to calm down and consider both sides of this argument. It is a sad day when murder suspects are being treated as heroes. It is even more sad that no one (including Mr Bain) has had any regard for those slain family members. They are the real victims in all of this.
Dianne
This was yet another case of the Police manipulating evidence to ensure a conviction - how long we will as a society accept this? Enjoy your freedom David. You deserve a life of laughter, love and happiness!
Dean
Heads should roll in the police department over this. We the taxpayers shouldn't be the only ones to pay. The incompetent police officers involved if still active should take no further part in law enforcement and I'd be happy to see them sued .
Michael (Hamilton)
I am very deeply concerned with aspects of the New Zealand Police and Judicial System. I have read quite a bit about the case of David Bain, and also of Scott Watson. In both of these cases, it appears to me that the Police decided very early on---based on certain evidence---who the person was who was guilty, and then set about proving that person's, in the process disregarding or suppressing certain evidence or facts which work against their case, and "inconvenient" eye-testimony or statements---even from people who should be very credible witnesses. The Police and Prosecution seem most interested in getting a conviction for the crime, than is considering all the evidence and information they gain in a very open-minded way, you could say in a truly unbiased and scientific, logical manner.The David Bain case has raised many serious matters, and I consider an investigation of the way the whole case has been handled ought to be carried out, and this should be by an independent authority--probably a Commission of Inquiry (such as was done regarding the Air New Zealand Mt Erebus disaster). This matter has made me lose a lot of faith I once had in the Police, and I am afraid and regret to have to say that. The Police and the Prosecution Legal Team can and do make mistakes, but they must be more open-minded and carefully consider all the evidence and seek the truth rather than "blindly" focusing their effort and attention on obtaining the conviction of a person who appears (seems likely to be) guilty at the beginning of investigations.
Ruediger Mack
There is a public need for a new trial and I predict the outcome will be the same: David Bain is guilty. The defence will not be able to explain how fibres from David Bain's jersey got under his brother's fingernails, why there are only David's fingerprints on the gun, how Robin Bain could have shot himself in the back of his head without leaving fingerprints on the gun? If Robin Bain was the murderer why would he have taken his blood stained socks, put them in the washing machine, then put fresh socks on, put his shoes on and then shoot himself and all of this with a full bladder? Why were only David's bloody fingerprints on the washing machine? etc. etc
Matt
The posts here prove at least one thing, David cannot get a fair trail in New Zealand. It would be impossible to find 12 people who have not already made up their minds as to his guilt, let along find and present all the evidence and track down all the witnesses, in a way that was not contaminated. I cannot see any other option for the crown but to let him be free, as to prove him guilty would create another miscarriage of justice. The Crown should have prepared for this, if they had, they would have known immediately if they would charge David or not. As for a pardon for David - you can only pardon a man proven to be guilty. David does not require a pardon.
Lucy
Poor bugger. hope he puts some weight on, im sure that prison food has kept him looking so gaunt...now he can grieve for his family properly (maybe?). If he is innocent, then the people who put him in prison should pay reparation that sets him up for a comfortable lifestyle for the rest of his life. I think him and John Campbell would make a great team as I reckon he'd be the best political (hehe) reporter ever! Put him on Campbell live or 60mins. If theres anyone to reveal the truth - its gotta be him. Good luck David, hope you set up a myspace page coz i'd add ya! Make the most of your freedom buddy!
GA
Correct me if I am wrong, but the Privy Council in London quashed his conviction and said there had been a miscarriage of justice, but they have never said he is innocent. Everyone is treating him as if he is innocent.(maybe he is and maybe he isn't) Only a re-trial will show that and 13 years after the fact surely both evidence and witnesses will be long gone.
Ray Eyre
Congrats David, your release is long overdue. Well done Joe, you were a man on a mission and you have reached one of your goals. What on earth is wrong with David's extended family? Why do the chose to hate? Surely they must know David is innocent. Even if they have misgivings they must feel some compassion for their own blood. C'mon Bain family get yourselves together and right the wrongs you have committed against your own flesh and blood. Hate and distaste is not the way to advance from this most terrible loss.
Rae (Hamilton)
Think it is fantastic that David has been released. He seems like a guy who has it all together.
Rob
Although the case against David Bain was not proven beyond reasonably doubt at the Privy council (which traditionally looks at procedure and not the wider picture), and bail was granted, it does not mean that he is innocent. Many believe he is guilty, and I am one of those people, however I believe he has done his time, and he will not do it again. I highly doubt that there will ever be a re-trial for many reasons. A re-trial will be too expensive and too lengthy. A 'substantial miscarriage of justice' does not mean that the court at first instance was incorrect and that Bain is indeed innocent, it just means that there are now grounds to grant bail, and for this reason Bain will not be granted a royal pardon (as Arthur Allan Thomas received). Also preventing a just re-trial is that the possibility for an impartial jury is ruled out as it is such a high profile case. He is free, I am happy for him, he did his time in my mind, but he will always carry with him the label of a murderer as harsh as it may seem to some. This does not mean he is innocent, I believe many people are naive for thinking so. Most academics (and lawyers) believe he is guilty, however the media has glamorised Bain, so he must be innocent (sarcasm). I do feel sorry for him in the respect that he is going to have a horrible time in the next year (eg. no drivers licence, no experience with women, no money, no contact with extended family, no academic qualifications). I am glad he is out but no not believe for one second that he is innocent.
Denise
Congratulations David. I believe our judicial system should be changed so that important evidence is not withheld from juries. The odd person still believes you are guilty, but they are very much in the minority. In your case, David, you suffered a miscarriage of justice and the Crown and Police are to blame. No re-trial should be held. Too much evidence has been lost, witnesses have died and recollections have dimmed. You should be pardoned and given a financial settlement of at least $5 million. I would like our Prime Minister to announce a pardon and financial settlement on national TV. This is what should happen. Joe Karam has been a wonderful support and tireless campaigner for you. I admire him. Best wishes to you David. Have a wonderful life.
Jaffa
I think its great that David Bain has been released - somehow his conviction never rang quite true. However I now think that the media should leave him alone and allow him space to adjust to life outside the bars - it must be a very traumatic experience for him to go into prison as a teenager and come out a mature adult.
Tim Hawley
Priorities now should be: compensation for David although no amount of money could make up for what he's lost and secondly the indictment of the Police officers who lied, perjured themselves and made a mockery of our justice system. But the latter will never happen. Those men will have to live with their consciences forever. Good luck David, and well done to all involved in resolving this matter.
Doug Marsh
I wish that people would stop considering David Bain as being a hero. At this stage he has only had his convictions quashed and still stands accused of the murder of 5 members of his family. This seems to have been forgotten in the unbalanced reporting of this case. There seems to be little attention given to the fact people close to the case may be angered and disappointed at his release. All the focus seems to be on how wonderful this is for David and Joe Karam. Lets have a retrial as soon as possible, and then finally the whole issue can be put to bed forever.
Anne
It is great, finally after 13 years to start seeing some form of justice being done. I have followed this case from day one. He is as innocent as me or you. No retrial, let the power to be admit their mistake and grant David a full pardon as soon as so he can get on with his life.
Ex-Dunedinite
I think that this matter has been seriously badly covered by the media! I feel for the extended Bain family that are having this whole saga dragged up again. I don't think the police would take the harder option of 5x Murder when Murder/Suicide was a lot easier to wrap up. (Despite Moon's Your View - I don't think the extended family would use David Bain as a sacrificial lamb to serve years in jail to avoid the incest facts coming out.) The only good thing to come out of the badly behaving media not reporting all aspects of the story is that the extended family have been left in peace. Well Done David Bain and Joe Karam.
David
Imagine how wonderful it is to be free. In fact right this very minute i.e 2.30pm; you are on your first plane flight in 13 years. I guess you are feeling so grateful that you have so many people supporting you. You now have the world at your feet. You have so much to look forward to and can sleep at night in safety. No longer sleep in a prison cell. Well done. Be positive and no matter what happens in the future your friends will always be there for you. Joe Karam, You deserve a medal for your perseverance throughout all this.
Wayne Kerr
How sad for New Zealand. Another case of the Keystone Cops cocking it up again! Many questions have to be asked, just basic questions on why so much evidence was not allowed in court but the big one for me and mine was : Why was the house burnt down, which contained so much evidence, although it was trampled/ tampered with by a number of people not needing to be there? Joe & Co & families, well done on your strength and courage to fight for those not able to. It's great that you are out David. Your next battle, one to clear your name with evidence that was not presented in court or the media.NZ sort out the cops and get rid of the old boys squad of secret societies, bring back the Privy Council and clean up the legal system as currently there is no justice in it!
Marnie
How can so many people be so closed minded? What so the police may have conducted a part of the enquiry incorrectly so that means that all the facts are now irrelevant & he is innocent? Cut it out! The father would have had to do the killlings whilst squeezing his legs together as his bladder was totally full...how did the police corrupt that fact? Plus the spare key to David's gun was left in full view on the table beside the fathers bed (David said he didnt know where it was & may have been lost) so the father would have searched the house instead for David's original key? The facts are as they are. Plus a house locked up & having had lots of shots fired would have left a definite unmistakable odour which David didn't smell & instead did his washing & leaving his bloodied palm prints on the washing machine? Come on, lets be realistic here!
Wil
The media are making Bain out to be some kind of hero and a lot of people seem to be getting caught up in the hype and making judgments based on emotion rather than knowing all the facts. I seem to remember there was some pretty compelling evidence suggesting he did it. Yes the Police have been wrong in the past but they also have been right in hundreds of other murder cases. Lets be a bit cautious before we decide he's innocent.
Lynnette
I am glad that you are out and I hope you make the police pay for what they have done they owe you for all the years you spent in jail for something you didn't do. I dont think you should have to go though another trail they should let you get on with your life.
Dolly
How disturbing to read so many comments from people who "always knew" that David Bain was innocent. We don't know any such thing. Thank goodness our justice system is not run by the simple folk who are prepared to make judgments based on media reports, tv dramatisations or books written by people with a particular axe to grind. It would be great to have the case re-tried with all of the evidence available put to the jury, as directed by the Privy Council. As far as bail goes, David Bain does not appear to be much of a threat to society, let's hope that at least proves to be correct. If he is proven guilty, then 13 years seems a paltry penalty for taking five lives, so no doubt it will be back to prison - will today's revised non-parole terms apply? (I dispute comparisons with the Thomas case, there has been no suggestion of evidence being manufactured in the Bain case.)
Jan Hall
What worries me desperately is the thought of an innocent young man returning from a paper round to butchery and a nightmare. What a haunting thought. Thirteen years in gaol. God Bless the poor man. How could the investigating police possibly ignore the character and the behaviour of the father? Depressed, an alleged paedophile, a character typical of the kind who commit such murders! What went wrong? A bunch of unconscionable idiots was running the investigation with the collective IQ of one monkey. All they wanted was to look successful in the eyes of the rest of the community. Idiots!
Justice
I myself am unconvinced as to whether Mr Bain is guilty of these horrific crimes or not. However it is somewhat disturbing that our media is treating him as a hero or martyr when he has not yet been proven guilty or innocent and he's only out on bail which is very different to either being acquitted or discharged without conviction. Personally I have been in trouble with the law over my issues with alcoholism and depression not too long ago and believe me I know how the police can distort the truth to suit themselves. However in spite of my own personal experience with the law/police, I think that all this praise of Mr Bain is somewhat pre-mature don't you think?
Gregg Nelson
Hi David, Quietly for years were scared you had been treated unjustly and now my fears are subsiding. Heard you wanted to go fishing. Well now I know a bit about that..and would like to say that you are sure to be a natural because the biggest two secrets are having your line in the water and the big one. "Patience" and mate you got plenty of that. Tight Lines mate and oh did I mention I am a car dealer? If you need wheels mate I will give you a runner for nothing (legal of course)...
Joanne
It is disgraceful the treatment of David Bain, stuck away all those years for something he clearly didn't do - I hope he is now left to get on with his life and receives compensation.
Mrs Larking
The other side of the coin: Lets ask what would have happened to Bain, had he not been convicted. Well from we have been told, the rest of the Bain family don't want him around. So had he been free, there would have been no supports from that quarter. How would one have dealt with the death of the whole family, if he had done it, or if hadn't of done it? How would he have dealt with being rejected by the rest of the Bain family? I guess he would have just left and been living in the North Island all this time, or overseas, and perhaps under another name. 13 years is a hell of a long time, but at least he has kept his name, and the country as a whole has dealt with the situation - you don't get this sort of mass-support going on ever. There will always be the non-David-Bain believers, and he will have to just take them with a grain of salt. Whatever happens now, he will have to be compensated big time, if the case was in fact that flawed. The justice system has to do this. But because they have to compensate him, this is the only thing that could possibly put him back in jail. This is why it was so important that he got bail, and that he keeps the public on side now. The public will demand compensation and a happy ending to the story.
Phil
Clearly, the police investigation and court case had a number of failings. However if you examine the facts of the case you realise that there is *very* strong evidence that David Bain is the killer, and almost zero evidence that Robin Bain is. It would be nice for the case to be retried so his guilt or otherwise can be re-tested. However the length of time that has passed may well make this an impractical option.
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