Court of Appeal declines to quash Scott Watson's murder convictions

Wednesday 10 September 2025 · 8 outlets · 6 reports · updated Wed 10 Sep 2025, 12:31pm

In this story Court of Appeal, Supreme Court

The Court of Appeal has ruled that Scott Watson's convictions for the murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope will stand, finding no miscarriage of justice occurred. Watson, who has been imprisoned for 27 years, maintains his innocence. His lawyer stated they intend to apply for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.

How they headlined it

12pm12:31pm

1. NZ HeraldWed 10 Sep 2025, 12:00pm

   Scott Watson fails to overturn his convictions for murdering Ben Smart and Olivia Hope (opens in new tab)

2. StuffWed 10 Sep 2025, 12:00pm

   ‘No miscarriage of justice’: Scott Watson’s murder conviction stands (opens in new tab)

3. The Press via The PostWed 10 Sep 2025, 12:00pm

   Scott Watson still guilty, court finds (opens in new tab)

   Also on Waikato Times (opens in new tab), The Post (opens in new tab)

4. RNZWed 10 Sep 2025, 12:00pm

   Scott Watson loses bid to quash convictions as court rules he had a 'fair trial' (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesWed 10 Sep 2025, 12:06pm

   Scott Watson loses bid to quash convictions (opens in new tab)

6. 1News via RNZWed 10 Sep 2025, 12:31pm

   Sounds murders: Scott Watson loses bid to quash convictions (opens in new tab)