Police seek Malcolm Rewa retrial in Susan Burdett case

There could be a third trial for serial rapist Malcolm Rewa over the 1992 murder of Auckland woman Susan Burdett, as police look for a re-trial.

Rewa was tried twice over her death in 1998 and in both trials, a jury was unable to reach a verdict.

A stay of prosecution was put in place following the second trial.

The Solicitor-General has now agreed to make an application to the High Court for a retrial, police have confirmed on Tuesday.

Teina Pora wrongfully spent more than 21 years in prison for Ms Burdett's rape and murder.

After his conviction for murder was quashed by the Privy Council in 2015, police asked for the stay of prosecution to be reviewed.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush says both Ms Burdett's family and Rewa have been told of the developments.

"A team of senior and experienced homicide detectives under the oversight of Detective Superintendent Dave Lynch have commenced preparation work on the file, and will work with the Manukau Crown Solicitor to make the application in the High Court and manage the case through to a third trial if one is granted," he said.

Cmmr Bush says now the case is before the courts, they will not comment further.

Private investigator Tim McKinnel, who worked on Mr Pora's case, told Newshub he was pleased with the decision by police.

"It's been a long time coming - we've asked for quite some time now for them to review Susan Burdett's murder with an open mind, and this suggests that they're doing that now," he said.

Last year, Mr Pora said there was "no doubt" there needed to be another prosecution brought against Rewa for the murder.

One of Rewa's rape victims, Rhonda McHardy, also called for him to be charged with the murder last year.

A report written by retired High Court judge Rodney Hansen QC found Mr Pora was innocent and deserved compensation, and pointed the finger at Rewa.

It said "undisputed evidence leads to the irresistible inference Malcolm Rewa acted alone and was solely responsible for the rape and murder of Ms Burdett".

In 2016, Cmmr Bush said police accepted the report in full, but the case would not be opened because an internal review showed "no new evidence" to lift the stay of proceedings against Rewa.

Rewa is up for parole in 2018.

Newshub.