Unlike the three-week trial in Dunedin in 1995, when no cameras of any kind were allowed in the courtroom, Bain's retrial in the High Court at Christchurch will have video footage screened to the internet, although not quite live.
On Wednesday, the trial judge ruled against any video coverage on the internet.
But late yesterday, after oral submissions during a telephone conference, Justice Graham Panckhurst reversed his earlier decision to the extent he granted The Press, The New Zealand Herald, TV3 and Stuff website permission for video coverage on the internet, but with a delay of 10 minutes after the evidence is given in open court.
An application by TV3 for live-streaming was not pursued.
Television and print media were earlier given permission to film and take still pictures of the trial, although the number of cameras in the courtroom has been restricted to one for each medium.
Bain, now 36, was sentenced to life imprisonment and served 12 years of his 16-year non-parole term after the 1995 Dunedin jury found him guilty on all five charges of murdering his family.
Two years ago, the Privy Council decided he should have a new trial and a jury is being empanelled today to hear that trial, which is expected to last until May.
Preparations for the trial have involved weeks of planning for High Court staff, who have had to ready the courtroom, not only for three Crown and three defence lawyers and their rafts of files, but also for the many media representatives (about 25), as well as members of the public.
The case has attracted a massive amount of interest over the years, particularly since former All Black Joe Karam took up the fight on Bain's behalf.
Probably one of this country's most high-profile murders, the case is also likely to be one of the most expensive, with years of appeals, pre-trial applications and hearings funded by legal aid.
For the original trial, Court of Appeal and Privy Council hearings, $706,127 of legal aid was paid to Bain's lawyers.
And legal aid has been granted for preparation for the retrial.
But Legal Services Agency senior communications adviser Bronwyn Bannister said yesterday the figures for the retrial would not be released while the case was still before the courts.
