I really hope that David Bain bids a grateful farewell to his lawyer and starts his new life without the millstone of ongoing legal action dragging him back.
My knowledge and assessment of David and of his lawyer, Michael Reed, is limited to what I saw on TV news reports, plus the excellent in-depth analysis in last Saturday’s Christchurch Press by the courtroom-savvy reporter, Martin van Beynan.
From what I have seen and read, I believe that David is a thoughtful and gentle man who understands the cards he has now been dealt and seeks no revenge. He accepts he has lost a chunk of his life, but wants to make the most of the rest of it. I believe that Michael Reed is a clever, arrogant, single-minded and irritating man who through his perseverance deserves to see David a free man, despite the tactics he used to get that result.
Good on him. And good on David too. I wish him well. I may be wrong, but it seems to me that David has every chance of enjoying the rest of his life in fruitful and fulfilling endeavour and pleasure. As long, that is, as he can say goodbye to the NZ Justice system and the lawyers and let good enough be enough. And I’m feeling uneasy.
Talk of suing for inheritance (that has surely after 15 years been spent or invested in real estate) and for compensation from the government (and who knows, perhaps more visits to appeals courts for years to come) saddens me greatly. Those of us who don’t believe that life is a year-in-year-out battle for every last human right and remuneration, would hope that David can accept that nothing is perfect and that now he is free and has potentially many great years ahead.
Keep the optimistic view foremost, David. You were able to learn a new profession while sitting in prison, and you start with a clean financial slate now. With a little emotional and financial help from friends etc you have a good foundation to build on. Better than many at your age – I know several people who have fluffed around through their twenties and thirties and are still in debt and little closer to achieving anything significant in life.
I urge you, David, to say a sincere thank you to Mr Reed, shake his hand warmly . . . . and then tell him firmly that you want no further legal actions and court cases. If Mr Reed is genuinely interested in your welfare and not merely in it for the money or the thrill of battle, then he will endorse your decision.
Posted by David Armstrong 
