Eastman subject to physical abuse in jail

A man suing the ACT government for wrongful imprisonment over the murder of a federal police assistant commissioner was subject to physical abuse and death threats while in prison.

David Eastman is seeking damages in the ACT Supreme Court for 19 years behind bars for the 1989 murder of Colin Winchester.

The 74-year-old was found not guilty during a retrial last year after his original conviction was quashed in 2014 over concerns surrounding the original evidence.

He pleaded not guilty to the shooting murder in 1993 but was sentenced to life in prison in 1995.

His lawyers argued on Wednesday he is entitled to compensation under human rights laws, although a dollar figure is yet to be put forward.

Mr Eastman's barrister Lisa De Ferrari told the court an "act of grace" payment offered by the ACT government was an admission of liability.

He has rejected the territory's offer.

The court heard he had been subjected to physical abuse and death threats in prison, as well as taunts by staff, and was moved between jails on 90 occasions.

Mr Eastman made a suicide attempt in December 2000, the court also heard.

His other barrister Peter Tierney asked Justice Michael Elkaim to consider this abuse while in prison as well as the damage to Mr Eastman's character and ability to establish "some sort of meaningful life" after prison when determining the compensation amount.

Justice Elkaim was also asked to consider Mr Eastman's loss of family connection, with his twin sisters both dying while he was behind bars.

Ms De Ferrari argues her client is entitled to compensation under the ACT Human Rights Act but hasn't indicated how much he is seeking.

His solicitor Sam Tierney previously described the hearing as a landmark case, as no one had sought compensation under human rights laws in Australia before.