Rolfe’s bias accusations in opposition to coroner ‘groundless’

A request by former NT constable Zachary Rolfe to have a coroner step except for an inquest into the dying of Kumanjayi Walker has been labelled a groundless distraction by police.

NT Coroner Elisabeth Armitage has been investigating Mr Walker’s dying within the inquest since September 2022.

Mr Rolfe shot the 19-year-old 3 times whereas on responsibility within the distant neighborhood of Yuendumu however was acquitted of homicide in a five-week trial final yr.

Mr Rolfe’s lawyer, Luke Officer, filed a submission two weeks out from re-appearing on the inquest asking the coroner to “think about recusing herself from the inquest on the grounds of apprehended bias”.

However NT Police lawyers stated the coroner ought to reject the submission.

“The inquest ought to proceed with out additional distraction in relation to peripheral and groundless aggrievements in order that it may be dropped at a conclusion with out extra delay, trauma for the family members of Kumanjayi Walker and expense for the Northern Territory,” police lawyer Ian Freckelton stated in a submission.

In his submission, Mr Rolfe argued the coroner colluded with police to have him sacked earlier within the yr to supply “justice” for Mr Walker’s household.

“Considerably, Mr Rolfe was not dismissed from his employment with the NTPF as a consequence of the coronial inquest, (or) on account of a call made by the coroner, Mr Rolfe misplaced his job as a consequence of his personal conduct,” Dr Freckelton stated.

Throughout final yr’s proceedings, the court and Ms Armitage visited the distant neighborhood of Yuendumu and met with Mr Walker’s household and neighborhood members.

Mr Rolfe’s lawyers stated the coroner may have “distanced herself” from the grieving households, significantly from conversations about punishing Mr Rolfe for killing Mr Walker.

“Discussions had taken place throughout the proceedings in regards to the want for payback and that there could be no therapeutic till the blood of Mr Rolfe had been cut up,” Mr Officer stated.

He argued counsel helping Peggy Dwyer actively inquired about methods Mr Rolfe could possibly be dropped at justice when she requested the household: “In the event you put spearing to at least one aspect, is there anything that payback or justice may contain?”

The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Company, Mr Walker’s household and the Yuendumu Parumpurru Committee all agreed with police and urged the coroner to proceed with the inquest and to not step apart.

In its submission, NAAJA stated there was no foundation for the coroner to recuse herself and neighborhood engagement was obligatory.

“Nothing in regards to the interactions on the Yuendumu go to raises ‘issues’ that would in any approach contribute to an inexpensive apprehension of bias,” NAAJA stated.

“Group engagement was significantly acute within the current coronial proceedings due to the way in which that the dying of Kumanjayi Walker and the acquittal of Mr Rolfe had divided the NT neighborhood.”

Mr Rolfe has till Tuesday to file any reply and the coroner will ship a ruling by the top of the week.

The inquest into the Warlpiri man’s dying has been repeatedly disrupted by authorized stoushes about whether or not Mr Rolfe and one other officer have the authorized proper to refuse to supply proof to the coroner.

Mr Rolfe beforehand refused to reply controversial questions on the grounds they could expose him to disciplinary motion, whereas he was nonetheless within the pressure.

Decide Armitage dominated that witnesses couldn’t decline to reply questions, and appeals by Mr Rolfe within the NT Supreme Court and the Court of Attraction had been unsuccessful.

The rulings meant the coroner may now have the ability to compel Rolfe to reply questions on racist textual content messages that the inquest was informed he despatched.

He’s additionally prone to be requested in regards to the night time he killed Mr Walker, his earlier alleged misuse of police body-worn cameras, earlier alleged extreme use of pressure and an allegedly falsified NT police recruitment utility.

The inquest is because of resume on October 23 with Mr Rolfe’s proof, although the most recent authorized challenges may delay proceedings.

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