Revisiting the Hope-Smart murders as Scott Watson awaits appeal decision

While The Front Page is on summer break, we’re taking a look back at some of the biggest news stories and top-rated episodes from the podcast in 2024.   

The disappearances of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope on New Year’s Day 1998 remain one of New Zealand’s infamous cases.  

Scott Watson has spent the last 25 years behind bars after being convicted of murdering them, despite no bodies ever being found.  

In June, Watson headed back to the courtroom four years after his case was referred to the Court of Appeal – it's his last shot at clearing his name.  

There’s still no word yet on the result of his latest appeal.  

We spoke with NZ Herald senior journalist Carolyne Meng Yee and editorial leader Oskar Alley – who took us back to 1999 when they both covered Watson’s infamous first trial, and ran through the evidence making up this appeal with senior reporter David Fisher.  

New episodes return January 13th. 

Host: Chelsea Daniels
Audio Engineers: Paddy Fox, Richard Martin
Executive Producer: Ethan Sills 

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