Family of Kumanjayi Walker speak after NT Police officer Zachary Rolfe found not guilty of all charges
2 years, 9 months ago

Family of Kumanjayi Walker speak after NT Police officer Zachary Rolfe found not guilty of all charges

ABC  

The family of Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker, who died after being shot by NT police officer Zachary Rolfe in 2019, has spoken of their heartbreak after a jury found him not guilty of all charges. Speaking outside court after the verdict was handed down, deputy chair of the Parumpurru Justice Committee Valerie Napaljarri Martin, said supporters were feeling "empty" and "devastated" by the jury's unanimous decision. Ms Fernandez-Brown said Mr Walker would be remembered by his family and those who loved him as a "generous" and "joyful" man. Warren Williams said "justice felt dishonest" to Mr Walker's family and community. Crown Prosecutor Philip Strickland SC said the shooting in Yuendumu, and Mr Walker's death, "raised issues", some of which could not be explored in the murder trial.

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History of this topic

After years of covering NT courts, the Kumanjayi Walker coronial inquest was unlike anything I've seen
6 months, 3 weeks ago

After years of covering NT courts, the Kumanjayi Walker coronial inquest was unlike anything I've seen

ABC  

I covered Northern Territory courtrooms for almost seven years, so there's little that surprises me at a bar table anymore. The coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, who was shot by former NT Police constable Zachary Rolfe, was like nothing I've ever seen before. Kumanjayi Walker's family crowdfunded to travel hundreds of kilometres from Yuendumu to be at …

Zachary Rolfe is returning to the witness box for the third time. Why is the Kumanjayi Walker inquest not over?
6 months, 4 weeks ago

Zachary Rolfe is returning to the witness box for the third time. Why is the Kumanjayi Walker inquest not over?

ABC  

In short: Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot in November 2019 and a mandatory inquest into his death began in September 2022. Almost two years after it began, the coronial inquest into the police shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker will resume on Monday, for what is scheduled to be the final days of evidence. Coroner Elisabeth Armitage has so far heard …

Zachary Rolfe defended his name at the Kumanjayi Walker coronial inquest this week
9 months, 3 weeks ago

Zachary Rolfe defended his name at the Kumanjayi Walker coronial inquest this week

ABC  

Zachary Rolfe was born the son of prominent Canberra parents: philanthropists with a high standing in the community, his mother a successful barrister, and his father a luxury car dealer. Zachary Rolfe tells a coronial inquest into the 2019 police shooting of Kumanjayi Walker, racist language was "used everywhere" throughout the NT Police Force. In affidavits, which presumably sought to …

The key moments of Zachary Rolfe's first appearance at Kumanjayi Walker inquest
9 months, 4 weeks ago

The key moments of Zachary Rolfe's first appearance at Kumanjayi Walker inquest

ABC  

In short: Zachary Rolfe gave evidence at the coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker for the first time on Monday, nearly 18 months after the inquest began. Mr Rolfe outlined instances of racism with the NT Police Force, and said racist language was "used everywhere". Former Northern Territory Police officer Zachary Rolfe, who fatally shot Indigenous man Kumanjayi …

Suppression order lifted over police report into death of Kumanjayi Walker
1 year, 7 months ago

Suppression order lifted over police report into death of Kumanjayi Walker

ABC  

A suppression order over a controversial police report into the death of Warlpiri-Luritja man Kumanjayi Walker has been lifted, revealing previously redacted details about the murder investigation into former constable Zachary Rolfe. Key points: The so-called "Proctor Report" was previously subject to a claim of legal-professional privilege by the NT Police Force Perceptions of "investigative bias" related to Zachary Rolfe …

Zachary Rolfe dismissal 'a win' for Yuendumu community, 'disappointing' for police union
1 year, 8 months ago

Zachary Rolfe dismissal 'a win' for Yuendumu community, 'disappointing' for police union

ABC  

The family of Warlpiri-Luritja man Kumanjayi Walker, who was fatally shot by former-Constable Zachary Rolfe in 2019, says his dismissal from the NT Police Force "felt like a win" for the Yuendumu community. Key points: The NT Police Force formally dismissed Zachary Rolfe on Tuesday over "serious breaches of discipline" The former officer intends to appeal the decision It is …

Kumanjayi Walker inquest hears Constable Zachary Rolfe allegedly 'boasted' about use of force in text messages
2 years, 1 month ago

Kumanjayi Walker inquest hears Constable Zachary Rolfe allegedly 'boasted' about use of force in text messages

ABC  

Constable Zachary Rolfe allegedly "boasted" about performing an "illegal shoulder charge" during the arrest of a man in Alice Springs, by texting a video of his body-worn camera footage to an unnamed person, the Northern Territory coroner has heard. Former superintendent Pauline Vicary, who was one of Constable Rolfe's commanding officers in Alice Springs, reviewed and signed off on the …

Kumanjayi Walker inquest hears Constable Zachary Rolfe was 'repeatedly engaging in concerning behaviours' before shooting death
2 years, 1 month ago

Kumanjayi Walker inquest hears Constable Zachary Rolfe was 'repeatedly engaging in concerning behaviours' before shooting death

ABC  

The Northern Territory coroner has heard Constable Zachary Rolfe "repeatedly" engaged in "concerning behaviour", including not turning on his body-worn camera and making arrests which resulted in injuries, prior to Kumanjayi Walker's death. Former Northern Territory police officer Zachary Rolfe "didn't care about, or like Indigenous people", while his "unjustified" use of force incidents were "swept away" by superior officers, …

Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot by Constable Zachary Rolfe three years ago. Here are the key moments from the inquest so far
2 years, 2 months ago

Kumanjayi Walker was fatally shot by Constable Zachary Rolfe three years ago. Here are the key moments from the inquest so far

ABC  

Coroner Elisabeth Armitage opened her court with a soft smile and an acknowledgement of Arrente country, the land on which the courthouse sits in Alice Springs, immediately setting the tone for the three-month inquiry ahead of her. Four weeks into the three-month inquiry, the coroner has heard evidence from 11 witnesses including police officers, Mr Walker's family and Yuendumu community …

Kumanjayi Walker arrest 'not consistent' with plan and 'outside scope' of instructions, coroner hears
2 years, 2 months ago

Kumanjayi Walker arrest 'not consistent' with plan and 'outside scope' of instructions, coroner hears

ABC  

Body worn footage from the night of Kumanjayi Walker's shooting death in Yuendumu was "not consistent" with a plan put in place to arrest the 19-year-old, a senior member of the Northern Territory police force has told a coronial inquest. Key points: Superintendent Jody Nobbs says body worn footage wasn't "consistent" with a plan agreed to before specialist team was …

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker, family of Kumanjayi Walker react to 'blatantly racist' texts between Zachary Rolfe and colleagues
2 years, 3 months ago

NT Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker, family of Kumanjayi Walker react to 'blatantly racist' texts between Zachary Rolfe and colleagues

ABC  

The Northern Territory Police Commissioner has reacted to "blatantly racist" text message exchanges between Constable Zachary Rolfe and police colleagues, saying he believes the events are "isolated" and officers would be "quite shocked" reading them. During the inquest into the death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker, the coroner's court on Wednesday heard several text message exchanges between police officers, with references …

'Blatantly racist' and 'disgraceful' texts between Zachary Rolfe and colleagues read out at Kumanjayi Walker inquest
2 years, 3 months ago

'Blatantly racist' and 'disgraceful' texts between Zachary Rolfe and colleagues read out at Kumanjayi Walker inquest

ABC  

Text message exchanges between Constable Zachary Rolfe and several police colleagues have been described as "threatening" and "blatantly racist" by a serving sergeant, as they were read out in the Northern Territory coroner's court. 'Always ready to make my camera face the other way' In another text exchange read out to the court, a fellow police officer apologised to Constable …

Police officers from major centres lack 'respect and responsibility', Yuendumu shooting inquest hears
2 years, 3 months ago

Police officers from major centres lack 'respect and responsibility', Yuendumu shooting inquest hears

ABC  

A senior Aboriginal community police officer has told the Northern Territory coroner that police from out of town are "rougher" than their bush-based counterparts and lack "respect and responsibility". Key points: The Yuendumu Aboriginal community police officer told the inquest cultural awareness training for NT police officers was inadequate Kumanjayi Walker's grandfather says he felt "traumatised" by the night his …

Family of Kumanjayi Walker feared another police shooting after his death, inquest hears
2 years, 3 months ago

Family of Kumanjayi Walker feared another police shooting after his death, inquest hears

ABC  

Kumanjayi Walker's family felt they would have to "prove" they were on their "best behaviour" and feared another police shooting, as they waited for answers outside the Yuendumu Police Station after the 19-year-old was shot by an officer. Key points: The coroner was shown videos taken of a crowd that waited for information outside Yuendumu police station on the night …

Kumanjayi Walker inquest hears Constable Zachary Rolfe's use of force was 'not reasonable' on five occasions
2 years, 3 months ago

Kumanjayi Walker inquest hears Constable Zachary Rolfe's use of force was 'not reasonable' on five occasions

ABC  

The inquest into the 2019 police shooting death of Kumanjayi Walker has heard a use of force expert concluded Constable Zachary Rolfe had a "tendency to rush into situations with a disregard for his or others safety". Key points: Counsel assisting intends to table a review of Constable Rolfe's use of force The coroner heard Mr Walker's experience in youth …

Coronial inquest into death of Indigenous 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker begins in Alice Springs
2 years, 3 months ago

Coronial inquest into death of Indigenous 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker begins in Alice Springs

ABC  

Almost three years ago, two young men became household names in the worst possible way. Key points: Kumanjayi Walker was shot three times by Constable Zachary Rolfe in November 2019 Constable Rolfe was acquitted of murder after a five-week trial in March this year The coroner will spend the next three months examining the circumstances of his death The family …

Kumanjayi Walker's family revisits 'terrifying' night he died as inquest begins in Alice Springs
2 years, 3 months ago

Kumanjayi Walker's family revisits 'terrifying' night he died as inquest begins in Alice Springs

ABC  

In an emotional start to a three-month coronial inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, the Northern Territory coroner heard first hand from members of the Warlpiri man's family about the night he died, urging the court to hear their voices. Key points: Members of Mr Walker’s family addressed the court and called for urgent action The coroner said she …

Kumanjayi Walker inquest no longer starting in Yuendumu at family's request
2 years, 4 months ago

Kumanjayi Walker inquest no longer starting in Yuendumu at family's request

ABC  

The inquest into the death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker, who was shot by a Northern Territory police officer in 2019, will no longer begin in his home community of Yuendumu. Key points: Family have requested the inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker no longer begin in his community He died after being fatally shot by Constable Zachary Rolfe in …

Jury retires in murder trial of NT police officer Zachary Rolfe over fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker
2 years, 9 months ago

Jury retires in murder trial of NT police officer Zachary Rolfe over fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker

ABC  

The jury in the murder trial of Northern Territory police officer Zachary Rolfe has retired to consider its verdict over the fatal shooting of Yuendumu man Kumanjayi Walker. Key points: Constable Rolfe has pleaded not guilty to murder as well as two alternative charges The officer shot 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker three times during an attempted arrest The jury has heard …

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