Alan Hall was wrongfully convicted of murder and will receive a record $5 million in compensation and an apology after spending more than 18 years in prison.
Video / NZ Herald
Two former police staff members and a former Crown prosecutor have been ordered to appear in court next month in relation to one of New Zealand’s most high-profile miscarriages of justice – a case which led to the biggest compensation payout in the country’s history.
The decision to charge the trio came after a two-year police investigation, the Herald has learned.
Arthur Easton and his two teenage sons were attacked in October 1985 by a bayonet-wielding home invader.
Easton was stabbed in his liver and died of blood loss after emergency services arrived on the scene.
The murder weapon and a woolly hat were all that was left at the scene by the alleged murderer, who was described as a Māori man, tall and broad in stature.
Alan Hall, who was later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, came to police attention two months later because he owned a bayonet and beanie similar to the ones found at the scene, and was walking in the area at the time of the attack.
Extensive police questioning of Hall ensued and he was charged with murder.
The description of the attacker and key witness statements from a man in the area at the time were concealed by police, and in 1986 a jury found Hall guilty.
In 2022, Hall had his conviction quashed by the Supreme Court, which determined key evidence at his trial was “materially altered”.
The next year the Government agreed to a $4,933,725.75 payout as compensation for Hall’s time in prison.
Alan Hall photographed in 2011. Hall was 23 when he became the prime suspect in the murder of Arthur Easton in 1985. Photo / Greg Bowker
After the compensation was settled, four further separate investigations were ongoing including two by police to establish whether anyone in the organisation committed an offence by altering evidence and one by the Solicitor-General in relation to the Crown’s role in the significantly botched prosecution.
This evening Assistant Commissioner (Investigations) Paul Basham told the Herald the development in the case came after a “thorough, methodical investigation” led by a Detective Superintendent, and independent legal review.
That process led to the police decision to lay charges.
“Search warrants were conducted at Auckland properties today by the investigation team,” Basham said.
“Police have now issued summons against two former police staff involved in the original homicide investigation, and a former Crown Prosecutor involved in the prosecution of Mr Hall.
“We have been in contact with the Hall and Easton families through this process, and we have advised them of today’s development.
“We acknowledge both families have been seeking answers for a wrongful conviction, and answers as to who murdered Arthur Easton.”
Basham said the trio would appear in the Manukau District Court on September 4.
