West Australian man found not guilty of murdering pregnant partner after decade in jail
A Western Australian man who spent more than a decade behind bars over the death of his pregnant girlfriend has been found not guilty of her murder after a second trial.
Today, a jury acquitted Scott Austic of killing Stacey Thorne, 35, on December 9, 2007.
Ms Thorne, who was 22-weeks pregnant at the time of her death, was found with multiple stab wounds outside her Boddington home, about 120 kilometres southeast of Perth.
Today, a jury acquitted Scott Austic of killing Stacey Thorne, 35, on December 9, 2007. 9News
Stacey Thorne was found with multiple stab wounds outside her Boddington home in 2007. Supplied
READ MORE: Police evidence questioned in convicted murderer's sentence appeal
Mr Austic was arrested and first stood trial in 2009, where he was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum 25 years.
The 45-year-old appealed his sentence in 2010 but this was rejected by the courts.
A rare second appeal was granted after Mr Austic's defence raised concerns that police had planted or fabricated key evidence, including the murder weapon.
A retrial took place over the past three weeks before a jury of 12 men and women.
Mr Austic's defence team alleged police fabricated evidence in his original trial. 9News
READ MORE: Scott Austic released ahead of retrial
Some of the evidence brought into question included the alleged murder weapon — a knife with Ms Thorne's blood on it that was found in a paddock near Mr Austic's home, a blood-stained packet of cigarettes and a Jim Beam can with his DNA on it.
All allegedly found in key crime scenes that had previously already been searched.
At the time, police alleged Mr Austic had a motive to kill Ms Thorne because he did not want her having his child and that he lied about the clothes he was wearing on the night of the murder.
Police involved in the original investigation were called to testify in the new trial and denied introducing or planting any evidence.
Ms Thorne was 22-weeks pregnant at the time of her death. 9News
READ MORE: WA detectives deny planting evidence at convicted killer's house
Mr Austic's defence team also argued the forensic pathologist who performed Ms Thorne's post-mortem examination, who has since died, may have made "erroneous" measurements of the knife wounds she suffered.
After the retrial, the jury were not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Austic killed Ms Thorne and delivered a verdict of not guilty.
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