Convicted murderer Scott Watson sat just metres from the father of one his victims as lawyers petitioned the Christchurch High Court to allow a journalist to join a meeting with the pair.
Watson, 45, has taken a second round of court action against the Department of Corrections, which is trying to stop a journalist from sitting in on a behind bars meeting between Watson and Gerald Hope.
The killer, who maintains his innocence, is serving a life sentence for the murder of Mr Hope's daughter, Olivia Hope, 17, and her friend Ben Smart, 21. The pair disappeared during a New Year's Eve party in the Marlborough Sounds two decades ago.
The meeting has already been approved but prison bosses will not allow North & South reporter Mike White to attend the discussion in his capacity as a journalist. Both Watson and Mr Hope want Mr White present to ensure the meeting is fairly documented.
Addressing the High Court, Watson's lawyer Kerry Cook argued the decision was "unreasonable" and there was "no rational reason whatsoever" to enforce the ban on Mr White.
"There can be no issues with the meeting for safety reasons or psychological reasons," he said.
"I would say there is a legitimate public interest in the father of a murder victim meeting the person convicted of the crime."
Corrections' lawyer Daniel Perkins said the department was prepared to facilitate the meeting but was worried about the risk. Publication of the meeting could be harmful as any heated disagreements would end up being pushed out on a national stage.
The court also heard how the "highly unusual" and continued requests for meetings between Watson and Mr White were a drain on prison resources.
"Mr Watson would not be the only prisoner in New Zealand corrections facilities to claim a miscarriage of justice," Mr Perkins said.
Mr Hope has previously expressed doubt about Watson's convictions and, in an interview with Paul Henry this morning, said he had no issue with Mr White being present.
"I believe he's most probably the best-equipped - an independent journalist, a respected journalist, and I have no objection," he said.
"My plea is, Scott Watson, when we do meet, let's have an honest discussion."
Watson has already met with Mr White for a behind bars interview, following a similar challenge in the High Court last year. The judge overturned a Corrections ban, allowing the interview to take place, and a feature was published in North & South in November.
Newshub.
