The state government of West Australia has granted a man who spent more than ten years in prison before being found not guilty of killing his pregnant lover $1.6 million in restitution.
More than two years ago, Scott Austic was cleared of the 2007 murder of Stacey Thorne after charges of police framing were presented at the trial that led to his acquittal.
When Ms. Thorne was stabbed more than 20 times in the South West town of Boddington, she was carrying Mr. Austic’s kid.
After losing his initial appeal, Mr. Austic also failed in his request that the then-attorney general, Christian Porter, exercise the royal prerogative of pity and enable another appeal. Mr. Austic had been originally sentenced to 25 years in jail for her murder.
Attorney-General John Quigley said Mr. Austic had first requested $8.5 million in compensation while announcing the ex-gratia payment in parliament.
But he added that the state government had chosen to award Mr. Austic $1.6 million in consideration of the 4.5 years that passed between his petition to Mr. Porter and his eventual release.
According to Mr. Quigley, “This payment has been made following thorough legal advice analysing the facts of the case obtained from the highest levels within the State Solicitor’s Office.”
The 37-page legal opinion examined and provided advice on every aspect of the case, from the initial prosecution to the most recent CCC report.
Mr. Quigley informed parliament that no proof of wrongdoing by the police or prosecutors was discovered in the investigation that looked into the matter.
I want to express my deepest sympathies to Mrs. Thorne’s family, who have endured the heartache and lack of resolution regarding the circumstances of her death for many years, he added.
The state government today announced amendments that will enhance the $1 million prize for information in 64 unsolved murder cases, including Ms. Thorne’s.
