Case Timeline

February 13, 1994

Fisherman Mark Roderique goes missing on or about this date from Jacksons Bay in South Westland.

June 9, 1994

Four months later a missing persons enquiry is launched by the police.

August 11, 1994

The police charge Rex Haig with consipiring to poach paua and release him on bail. A charge that would later be dropped.

September 13,1994

The television programme, Crimewatch, promotes a $20,000 reward and possible immunity for information leading to a conviction on the dissapperance of Mark Roderique. The programme fails to prompt any calls.

September 14,1994

Anton Sherlock claims Antares crewman, "David Hogan" murdered Mark Roderique. Saying he shot him with a gun.

October 8, 1994

Accused, David Hogan modifies his story for the fourth time and tells police that Rex Haig killed Mark Roderique by beating him to death.

October 9, 1994

The next day, police charge Rex Haig with Murder and he is placed in police custody.
Brian Hewit arrests Tony Sewell at Bluff as an accessory after the fact to the murder of Mark Roderique.

February 2, 1995

David Hogan and Tony Sewell (a convicted purjurer ) are granted immunity from prosecution. Later the petition would focus attention to the fact that if the Solicitor General had been made aware of the raised voices evidence (provided by Squires) and the alabi from the Koromiko crew that Rex Haig was not onboard, then he would have not granted immunity. See the witness account of Squires for more detail.

March 25, 1995

Only nine days before the trial of Rex Haig, the key defense witness Anton Sherlock, is murdered in Lumsden. Rex Haig is sent to stand trial in Invercargill, close to the home town of the missing Mark Roderique and location of the very public paua trial.

July 26, 1995

The result of the first paua trial is a hung jury and Haig is sent for a retrial.

November 9, 1995

Jury finds Rex Haig guilty of murdering Mark Roderique.

February 29, 1996

Nigel Johnstone is convicted of killing Anton Sherlock. (Editors note: Many people believe that Nigel Johnstone is innocent.)

July 24, 1996

An appeal by Rex Haig is turned down.

September 30, 1996

An appeal by Nigel Johnstone is also turned down.

Unknown 1997

Invercargill Real Estate agent Geoff Jones went public with claims he had been approached by the Jury foreman and the told the jury has not believed Mr Hogan.

June 1997

The Detective Sergent responsible for the Mark Roderique investigation, Brian Hewit, is awarded a bronze merit for getting the conviction for the case.

October 18, 1997

Using fake explosives, six Paparua prison officers are held hostage by seven prison inmates, including Rex Haig to proclaim their innocence and highlight the injustice of their cases. They were later charged with kidnapping following the 3 day stand off.

October 19, 1997

Paul East, the Minister of Corrections decides to review the claims of injustice by Rex Haig and Nigel Johnstone.

December 1997

Bryan Rowe, a top Auckland private investigator is commissioned to investigate Rex Haig's case

March 1999

David Hogan, is convicted in Greymouth of threatnening to kill his former girlfriend's new partner and sentenced to six months detention.

September 22, 1999

Rex Haig mercy plea is sent to Governer General by Queen's Counsel Nigel Hampton.

February 2001

Rex Haig Petition is declined, a remarkably long 15 months after the mercy plea was submitted.

October 11, 2001

Deputy Solicitor-General is asked to disclose the evidence supporting the reasons why David Hogan and Tony Sewell were given immunity. The request is refused.

December 5, 2001

A second petition is sent to Governer-General Dame Silvia Cartwright.

March 2002

The petition is referred to independent QC Colin Carruthers and an investigation follows.

Feb 2004

Rex Haig remains in prison awaiting the result of the second petition.

April 2004

Second petition completed. Decision pending. Media interest grows.
Case referred to the Court of Appeal for the second time.

October 2004

Parole board reserve their decision to release Rex and schedule second hearing for 10 December

December 2004

Parole Board decides to release Rex from Jail.

March 27th 2006

Southland Times article questions police payment to witnesses in Rex Haig case.

June 12th 2006

Court of Appeal

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