David Bain, left and his supporter Joe Karam emerge from
the High Court after Bain was found not guilty of the
murder of his family. Photo by NZPA
A group of people who believe David Bain killed his
family are launching a fight to prevent him getting any
compensation or inheritance money.
Mr Bain, who spent 13 years behind bars for the murder of
five of his family members in 1993, was adjudged not guilty
of the murders at a High Court retrial ending in June.
Mr Bain's supporters, who say his father Robin killed the
family members and then took his own life, have said they
would seek compensation from the state for his years in
prison.
But Justice For Robin Bain, formed from the Facebook group
David Bain Is Guilty, is lobbying to prevent this happening.
Spokesman Kent Parker said a website had been set up and a
petition would be started.
Letters had also been written to Justice Minister Simon
Power, who will decide whether compensation should be
examined.
"We believe the evidence overwhelmingly points to David as
the murderer, and that he should not make money from what he
did.
"An acquittal based on spurious `what if?' scenarios is not
an argument for innocence."
Mr Parker said the group had no connection with any parties
in the trial, or to Bain's family.
Mr Bain must apply to the Justice Minister for compensation,
after which the matter may be referred to a Queen's Counsel
for investigation.
Unlike in the trial, where prosecutors had to prove beyond
reasonable doubt that Mr Bain was guilty, Mr Bain has to
prove he is innocent on the balance of probabilities before
he can gain compensation.
Joe Karam, who spearheaded the long battle to free Mr Bain,
said last week Mr Bain would be able to do that and comments
to the contrary were ill-informed.
"The evidence in the trial, I am saying, supports
unequivocally that David Bain, on the balance of
probabilities, is innocent of these crimes," he said.
The amount of compensation takes account of the length of
jail time served and the claimant's conduct. The base rate
for each year served is $100,000.
Mr Bain is also expected to try to claim his family
inheritance.
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