Key evidence in Eastman court case

EASTMAN CASE PROSECUTION EVIDENCE

* David Eastman resigned from the public service in June 1977. When unable to find a suitable job, he fought hard to return.

* By December 1988 he was close, with the Commission of Superannuation approving his return on certain conditions. The prosecution says Eastman believed that would not be possible if he was convicted of assaulting his neighbour in December 1987.

* Eastman approached police and politicians to have the charge dropped, without success. He claimed that was because of police corruption and that he was a victim of injustice.

* Eastman appealed to Mr Winchester at a meeting on December 16, 1988, also without success.

* The prosecution alleges Eastman's motive was "murderous hatred" which came to be directed at Mr Winchester.

* Police first interviewed Eastman the day after the murder. He was unable to account for his movements between 8pm and 10pm the previous night.

* Although he never held an ACT firearms licence, Eastman made numerous attempts to buy guns as far back as early 1988.

* The murder weapon was never found but police identified it as a Ruger 10/22 .22 calibre semi-automatic rifle sold by a Queanbeyan man on January 1, 1989. A witness would testify to seeing Eastman at the home of the gun seller.

* Police conducted a comprehensive investigation, which included the theory of mafia involvement. But a large body of evidence pointed at Eastman, none at the mafia.