The coronial inquest into the death of 19-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker will be an opportunity for the voices of his family to be "heard and understood" for the first time, according to the coroner.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
At a directions hearing in the Darwin Local Court on Tuesday for Mr Walker's inquest, coroner Elisabeth Armitage expressed her condolences to his family and community.
"The grief and shock of this young man's traumatic death must be of the highest degree," she said.
"I expect that the family's grief has been greatly compounded by feelings of anger, fear and confusion."
Mr Walker died on November 9, 2019, in the central Australian community of Yuendumu after being shot three times during an attempted arrest by NT Police Constable Zachary Rolfe.
Related news:
Constable Rolfe was acquitted of charges of murder, manslaughter and violent conduct causing death following a five-week trial that ended with a unanimous not guilty verdict in Darwin earlier this month.
Ms Armitage said the inquest would give Mr Walker's family a platform to have their voices heard.
"While much has been said about his death, I recognise that the family and community's voices have not yet had an opportunity to be heard and understood," she said.
"This inquest cannot undo the past. We will, however, provide the family and the community with the opportunity to express their distress, their fears and concerns, and their hopes for the future."
Counsel assisting the coroner, Peggy Dwyer, told the coroner's court that the purpose of the inquest was to examine the circumstances of Mr Walker's death and make recommendations to prevent future deaths in similar circumstances.
All of the seven parties that applied to be represented at the inquest were given leave to appear by Ms Armitage, including Constable Rolfe, who will be represented by the same lawyers who appeared for him in his murder trial - David Edwardson QC and his instructing solicitor Luke Officer.
Mr Walker's family will be represented at the inquest. There will also be a representative for the Yuendumu community itself.
NT Police, the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA) and the NT Health department will also have representatives.
The matter will return to court for another directions hearing in May.
The actual inquest is set to begin in September in Alice Springs.
