Police are offering a $100,000 reward for information which leads to the arrest and successful conviction of the person responsible for the death of Arthur Easton.
Easton, 52 at the time of his death, was murdered 39 years ago on October 13, 1985 at his home in Auckland’s Papakura.
Speaking today from Counties Manukau Police Station, Detective Inspector Warrick Adkin said the offer will remain in place until January 24, 2025.
He said immunity against prosecution will be considered for any accomplice, not being the principal offender, who gives information or evidence that leads to a successful conviction.
Adkin suggested it is possible the offender may have had help, and said a highly determined team was working to identify the person responsible.
On the evening of Easton’s death, Adkin said a male intruder entered his home on Grove Rd at 8pm.
The offender was wearing a brown wool hat pulled over his face and wielded a bayonet, he added. A violent altercation took place in Easton’s home, in which Easton succumbed to injuries afterward, and the offender escaped the Grove Rd property and fled through a walkway adjacent to the property that leads to Alma Cres.
The woollen hat and bayonet were recovered at the Grove Rd property.
As part of the operation, police have been reviewing evidence gathered in 1985.
“This homicide happened nearly four decades ago, but we know there will be people still in the community today that know who is responsible,” Adkin said.
“Time can help bring perspective and, in this case, it might be an opportunity to get this off your conscience.
“This investigation will work to bring this person before the court.”
Adkin added police are conscious that charges have been laid over actions taken in the original homicide investigation, and subsequent appeals.
“What we are very clear about is that Alan Hall is not the man responsible for Arthur’s death.”
People who have information which could lead to the successful conviction of the person responsible for Easton’s murder can contact police through 0800 476 831 985 or via email at [email protected].
Wrongful conviction in Easton’s case
The appeal comes off the back of a formal apology by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster earlier this month, for “shortcomings in the investigation” which led to Alan Hall being wrongfully convicted of Easton’s murder in 1985.
In 2022, the Supreme Court quashed Hall’s conviction. Last year, he was awarded $4.9 million in compensation.
The Supreme Court decision came after the Crown admitted an important piece of evidence had been “unjustifiably” altered, leading to a miscarriage of justice.
At the time his conviction was quashed, a retired High Court judge found Hall innocent on the balance of probabilities.
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.
In September, three men were charged in connection with the wrongful conviction of Alan Hall. All entered not guilty pleas in the Manukau District Court.
The case has sparked multiple inquiries, including the renewed investigation into Easton’s murder.
