Two former police officers have been found not guilty of charges relating to a miscarriage of justice in the murder of Arthur Easton in his Papakura home. However, questions as to who killed Easton more than 40 years ago still remain unanswered.
Alan Hall was convicted of the murder but, in 2022, the Supreme Court found a substantial miscarriage of justice occurred. He was subsequently granted $5 million compensation and apologies from the government and police after spending more than 18 years in prison.
Charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, the officers, whose names are suppressed, were acquitted at the Auckland High Court last week.
Assistant commissioner (investigations) Corrie Parnell first acknowledged that the Easton and Hall families have being seeking justice for decades, before commenting on the latest development.
“Police acknowledge the verdict delivered against two former officers involved in the miscarriage of justice for Alan Hall. [They] have been found not guilty… This decision brings an end to criminal proceedings and police stand by our decision to put this case before the courts.”
Parnell also confirmed the justice system and police had failed both Hall and Easton.
“It is our view after a thorough investigation decades later that there was an end-to-end justice system failure, but we also recognised that individuals responsible for key steps in the case played a critical role and that needed to be answered in the courts. Police accept that we had a part to play in this failure occurring,” he says.
“The public places great faith and trust in police and the wider justice sector to act on their behalf and ensure that criminal procedures are carried out fairly.”
Although the latest verdict brings one chapter to an end, justice is yet to be served.
“While legislation, systems and processes in the justice sector have advanced in the decades since this case was first prosecuted, we acknowledge the Hall family have been left waiting for answers for a long time,” Parnell continues. “We must also acknowledge the Easton family, still seeking answers as to who murdered Arthur Easton.”
At 8pm on October 13, 1985, Easton (52) and his two teenage sons confronted an intruder, who was armed with a bayonet, in their home on Grove Road. A violent altercation resulted leading to Easton’s death.
Investigations have continued since Hall was cleared in 2022. In 2024, the offer of a $100,000 reward led police to Australia. This proved “beneficial,” police said at the time. The reward offer expired in January last year.
Since last week’s verdict was handed down, police are waiting for the release of an Independent Police Conduct Authority report.
“We will be in a position to comment further at that time,” Parnell adds.
