Warning: This article contains the name of an Aboriginal person who has died.
Kumanjayi White’s family has made repeated calls for the resignation of the police officers involved in his death.
Kumanjayi White’s grandfather and senior Warlpiri elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves said outside the Alice Springs Local Court on Thursday that the family had waited five months for justice.
“It has been five months since my Jaja (grandson) died in police custody and there is still no justice. We are still being told to wait,” he said.
“We have been told there is a criminal investigation underway and the police have given a brief of evidence to the DPP, but the police involved in my Jaja’s death are still on duty.
“How is this possible? They must be withdrawn immediately.”
Kumanjayi White, a Warlpiri man with a disability, died after being stopped by two plainclothes police officers at a supermarket in Alice Springs in May this year.
The 24-year-old was living in supported accommodation in Alice Springs at the time, but grew up in the remote community of Yuendumu.
“We know that if an Aboriginal person had done this, he or she would be behind bars,” Mr Hargraves said.
“We want parumpurru – justice. It is sacred. Kardiya – white people – do not respect it, but we respect it, because parumpurru is the truth
“We are still fighting a bunch of rlinjirrpa – aggressive bullies. We are not getting any truth from the colonial system.”
Delays in the coronal process
During a directions hearing at Alice Springs courthouse, counsel assisting the coroner Peggy Dwyer told the court the coroner has yet to receive evidence in the Kumanjayi White case.
Dr. Dwyer said that while the coronial process continues, the coroner cannot conclude the coronial investigation until any potential criminal investigation and subsequent proceedings have been completed.
“We don’t have a time frame for that yet because the criminal investigation is separate,” Dr. Dwyer said.
On September 22, a full summary of evidence from the NT Police’s initial investigation was provided to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for consideration of whether criminal charges should be considered against the police officers involved.
The DPP has confirmed that their office does not intend to provide an update to the media at this stage.
However, a spokesperson for the DPP confirmed that when reviewing the evidence, they have requested some additional material for police consideration.
NT Police have not yet named the two officers involved, but confirmed both officers were still working in administrative roles in September.
On Thursday, attorney Luke Officer appeared at the hearing representing one of the police officers involved in restraining Kumanjayi White.
National Justice Project chief counsel George Newhouse spoke to the family outside court and said the delays were impacting the family.
“The continued delays and uncertainty undermine what little faith the family has in our justice system. The family continues to demand that the officers be removed immediately now that a letter has been sent to the DPP,” he said.
“The way the police and the DPP have handled this situation is another example of how the colonial justice system is failing First Nations people.
“An independent investigation is still urgently needed.”
‘Slow but careful and well-considered process’
NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage told the court she hoped the coronial inquest would uncover as much “of the truth” as possible, but admitted the process would be slow in doing so.
“It is a slow but careful and deliberate process that is being initiated,” said coroner Armitage.
“We will continue to work consistently and thoroughly to ensure that there is a full investigation and that as much of the truth as possible can be uncovered.”
Coroner Armitage told the court that a hearing on additional directions would be considered for February next year to keep the parties involved informed.
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