The Police Commissioner has apologised to Alan Hall for “shortcomings in the investigation” that saw him wrongly convicted of murder in 1985.
In a statement today, Andrew Coster said he met with Alan Hall and apologised on behalf of the New Zealand police for “shortcomings in our original investigation that led to his wrong conviction”.
Alan Hall was wrongfully imprisoned for 19 years after being convicted in 1985 for the murder of Arthur Easton.
The Supreme Court quashed Alan Hall’s conviction in 2022, and last year he was awarded $4.9 million in compensation.
Last month, three men charged in connection to the wrongful conviction entered not guilty pleas.
“I am grateful to Alan and his family, who have been a great support to him, for meeting with me and accepting our apology. Police continue to investigate,” Coster said.
He said he could not comment further as matters pertaining to this case were still before the court.
Family spokesperson Geoff Hall said in a statement that Alan “really appreciates” the commissioner meeting with him.
“His apology marks another milestone for Alan and our family in acknowledging the injustices of the past,” Geoff Hall said.
“Our family appreciates the work the Police have committed to these investigations.”
The Alan Hall case
Hall spent 19 years in prison after he was wrongfully convicted of Arthur Easton’s 1985 murder. (Source: 1News)
A retired High Court judge found Hall innocent on the balance of probabilities.
The Supreme Court quashed Hall’s conviction after the Crown admitted an important piece of evidence had been “unjustifiably” altered, leading to a miscarriage of justice.
A key witness statement was changed to remove the description of a man seen fleeing the scene as Māori – Hall is Pākehā.
Hall was 23 when he was wrongfully convicted of murder, and 60 when his name was finally cleared. He endured four failed appeals during the process.
The case has sparked multiple inquiries, including a renewed investigation into Easton’s murder.