Cleared man claims compensation

WELLINGTON: A man who has accused the police of negligence over charging him with murder, has been given permission by the High Court to go to trial to claim $600,000 in compensation.

Napier man Zion King was arrested for the murder of Chattrice MaihiCarroll, who was found stabbed to death on January 21, 2008.

Mr King lived in the same block of rental flats as the victim.

As he was on parole after being released from prison for robbing a TAB, Mr King was recalled to prison following the murder charge, where he remained for 16 months to serve out the balance of his sentence for earlier offending.

On the eve of the murder trial in February 2010, Mr King was told the Crown had reviewed the case and would not be proceeding as there was no evidence to place him at the scene of the murder.

In a judgement from the High Court, released yesterday, Mr King says after being recalled to prison he lost his job, could not make payments on a car, which was subsequently repossessed, and suffered psychological harm, shame and damage to his reputation.

Mr King said police displayed a ‘‘highhanded disregard for his rights and welfare’’, Associate Judge Warwick Smith said.

He ruled that the claims of negligence can go forward to a trial. — NZN