[ad_1]
The family of Arthur Easton, whose 1985 murder led to the wrongful conviction of Alan Hall, says the mishandling of the case has “amplified their grief” and retraumatised them.
On Friday, Hall was awarded the largest wrongful conviction compensation in New Zealand’s history, receiving $5 million for the 18 years he spent in prison and many more years on restrictive parole.
The Government also publicly apologised to Hall, now 61, and accepted he was innocent of Easton’s murder.
Hall was sentenced to life in prison after police deliberately altered vital evidence from a key eyewitness, the prosecution withheld crucial documents from Hall’s lawyers, and Hall, who has an intellectual disability, was subjected to 23 hours of interrogation without a lawyer.
Supplied
Arthur Easton, who was murdered in his home in Papakura in October 1985. Alan Hall was convicted of his murder in 1986. In June 2022 the Supreme Court quashed Hall’s conviction, saying there had been a substantial miscarriage of justice.
Easton was a 52-year-old father of four sons and a daughter, and a chief technician with the New Zealand Post Office, responsible for hundreds of staff and all telecommunications infrastructure in South Auckland.
He was stabbed to death in the hallway of his Auckland home after confronting a bayonet-wielding intruder on a Sunday evening in October 1985.
Easton’s two youngest sons, Kim and Brendan, were also injured.
In a powerful rebuke of the system’s failings, the Easton family today said the events had been a tragedy for Hall and his family, as well as them.
“We are inspired by Alan’s strength and determination to survive this injustice.
“It brings us a sense of relief to witness that Alan has received a formal apology from the Justice Minister, along with the recognition of his innocence.
Supplied
Alan Hall was 23 when he became the police’s main suspect in the Arthur Easton murder investigation.
The Easton family realised no amount of money could truly compensate for the years taken from Hall, and the loss and sacrifice his family had endured.
“We hope Alan and his family can now move forward and find some peace.
“This miscarriage of justice has seriously damaged our trust in New Zealand’s justice system, and the mishandling of our father’s case has amplified our grief and retraumatised our family.”
LAWRENCE SMITH/Stuff
Alan Hall is now 61. His wrongful conviction took 36 years to overturn.
Despite Hall’s innocence being proven, nobody had been held responsible for Arthur Easton’s death, the family highlighted.
“We patiently await the results of the two ongoing police investigations – into who did kill our father, and whether anyone is criminally culpable for Alan Hall’s wrongful conviction.”
Police say these dual investigations are continuing.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority is also investigating Hall’s wrongful conviction.
[ad_2]