Source: CHRIS HILLOCK/Fairfax NZ
Arthur Allan Thomas
This case is very similar to Steven Avery’s in the way suspicion arose of the investigation team planting evidence to convict Arthur Allan Thomas of murder in 1971. He was accused of the murder of Harvey and Jeanette Crewe, whom he farmed land nearby.
He was pardoned in 1979 and awarded NZ$950,000 compensation as it was proven that police had planted a one of Thomas‘ cartridge case on the victim’s property. There were also other elements to the case that were inconsistent, but despite this, the police officers in question were never punished.
