An Australian economist who had been wrongfully imprisoned for nearly two decades in prison for the murder of a high-ranking police officer received compensation of more than $ 7 million (€ 4.3 million).
Former civil servant David Eastman was convicted of murdering Australian federal police officer Colin Winchester in 1995 and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Eastman, who has always maintained his innocence and several legal appeals, was released in 2014 after his conviction was lifted.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Supreme Court was ordered the government to pay just over 7 million Australian dollars.
Eastman had demanded at least 18 million Australian dollars (11 million euros) as compensation but is content with the sum he received.
The 74-yr-old told the court that not only did he miss the opportunity to start a family and continue his career, but that his mother and sisters died when he was in jail.
The court also learned that he was a witness to a murder and that he was still visually impaired after another prisoner attacked him in 2006.
According to the BBC, his lawyer Sam Tierney told the press before the court in Canberra that his client was “very satisfied” with the decision.
“He has lost a significant part of his life and obviously has some ideas about what he could do with (money),” he said.
It was unclear whether the ACT government would appeal the decision.
According to the public broadcaster ABC, the case had already cost more than 30 million Australian dollars.
Winchester was shot dead in 1989 when he left his car near his home on the outskirts of Canberra.
Nobody else has been blamed for the murder.
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