Wellington Queen's Counsel Nicolette Levy has been appointed by the Solicitor-General to head an investigation into the Crown's role in the miscarriage of justice surrounding Alan Hall.
Nicolette Levy QC will look into why the justice system failed Alan Hall over many years. Photo: Nicolette Levy
His conviction for murder was quashed by the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Solicitor-General Una Jagose QC said she took any significant miscarriage of justice very seriously.
"The solicitor-general is responsible for the conduct of Crown prosecutions, and I am determined to find out why and how Mr Hall, Mr [Arthur] Easton [the victim], and both their families have been so severely let down by the justice system.
"My focus now is on understanding how the Crown's role in this miscarriage occurred and why the criminal justice system failed to remedy it earlier."
Jagose said New Zealanders must have trust and confidence in the justice system and needed to understand the factors that led to the miscarriage of justice.
She considered an investigation into the prosecution to be important.
"Plainly, as the Crown's submission to the Supreme Court acknowledges, the criminal justice system has failed in this case. Mr Hall, Mr Easton's family, and the public need to understand the factors that led to this miscarriage.
"Accordingly, I have commenced an independent investigation, to be led by Wellington criminal barrister Nicolette Levy QC, into these events."
The solicitor-general said it was not appropriate to make further comment until the conclusion of the investigation.