Not guilty - but serving a life sentence

Vivien Harrison has never doubted her ex-husband’s innocence.



But for the former Mrs Arthur Allan Thomas, her husband’s wrongful conviction for the 1970 murders of Jeanette and Harvey Crewe not only destroyed her marriage – it has also cast a long shadow over her entire life.



In the July issue of North & South, the former Vivien Thomas speaks out for the first time in 20 years – revealing how it was not only the Crewes, their daughter Rochelle and Arthur Thomas who were victims of the tragedy.



The Crewes were murdered on June 17 – 40 years ago – and Arthur Allan Thomas was convicted of killing them with a .22 rifle; a second jury also found him guilty. Rochelle was found alive five days after the murders, distressed and hungry but having been fed and changed.



Vivien was put through hell by the Police and prosecution; other witnesses were harassed and intimidated by the Police when their testimonies no longer suited the cops’ fabricated case against Arthur.



Vivien’s marriage collapsed after Thomas’ second trial – and although Arthur was bitter about her decision to divorce him – she has never doubted his innocence.



“All those interviewed feel strongly that those who wronged them have never been called to account,” says North & South editor Virginia Larson. “As for the mystery woman who fed the baby… Vivien believes she is still alive and holds the key to solving New Zealand’s most baffling murder mystery.”



Writer Chris Birt has followed the Crewe case for 34 years and in 2001 wrote a book “The Final Chapter” on the murders; he now presents a powerful piece for North & South.



Also in the July issue of North & South senior writer Donna Chisholm discovers all is not black and white when it comes to wills.



Changes to the Property (Relationships) Act in 2002 gave de factos and same-sex partners the same rights as the legally wed – but one amendment went barely noticed.



It gave widows and widowers the option to either abide by their partners’ wills or seek a 50 per cent share of all their property as if they were legally separating.



“In other words,” Ms Larson says, “the surviving partner can ditch the will altogether. Family lawyers are saying children from the deceased’s first marriage or former relationships can be left with nothing.



“It’s causing grief and bitter legal battles, as inheritances – thought to be immutable – are being overturned with the stroke of a pen.”



There’s lots more in the July edition on newsstands from June 14.



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Issued on behalf of North & South by Pead PR