| Wednesday, 11 January 2012 12:25 |
"I will not let it go": Family searches for truthHundreds of supporters gathered in Alice Springs over the weekend to commemorate a man who died in police custody last Thursday. The case sparked outrage as witnesses allege that up to five police officers beat Mr. Briscoe who died from a severe wound to the head. Police have issued a statement saying the man suffered the wound from a fall after being arrested for public drunkenness. The case has been forwarded to the Coroner. Nothern Territory Police Association says the young man's death is a tragedy but there's no evidence that police officers did anything wrong. The Association's President Vince Kelly says the Coroner has oversight of all death in custody investigations and it's appropriate that senior police conduct the inquiry. Vince Kelly: There are a number of very senior Police in Alice Springs conducting the investigation. They hired competent investigators that have done numerous investigations in the past, and as I say, ultimately this matter will be oversighted by the coroner. I am sure again [that] matters like this can also be oversighted by the ombudsman, if the ombudsman feels they need to be involved. Voice ends. Family members of the Anmatyerre man say they want to know the truth about the death. Mr. Briscoe's aunt Patricia Moreton-Thomas says the case should be investigated independently as she claims when police investigate police, bias could be the result. She says it's now very hard for her feel proud of her country and the public needs to be more conscious of these cases so they don't happen again. Patricia Morton-Thomas: This happens all the time in the Territory. This is not a random thing; perhaps not everybody ends up dead in police custody, but Aboriginal people are constantly being picked upon here. There are good police officers here in the Territory, but then there are also police officers in the Territory who have no place being there. They're not interested in serving the law or serving their community. They're interested in being bullys. Voice ends. Ms. Morton-Thomas says a feeling of uncertainty is being experienced around Alice Springs as many rumors circle the community. Patricia Morton-Thomas: There are so many things being said at the moment, it's hard to come to the truth. What the family wants is the truth. If my nephew died of natural causes and the Coroner finds that, I can perhaps accept that. I don't know about the rest of my family, but I can. But if there was foul play involved in my nephew's death, I will be chasing that and I will not let it go. Voice ends. Meanwhile, the head of an Indigenous justice group says the Northern Territory Government needs to clarify the cause of the death of Mr. Briscoe as soon as possible. President of the Indigenous Social Justice Association, Ray Jackson (pictured), says police who were allegedly involved have serious questions to answer. He says only a thorough, independent investigation into the incident can prevent similar situations occurring again. Ray Jackson: As long as the police continue to be exonerated by coroners and others, then the deaths in custody will continue. There is no recognition by the police anywhere in Australia of the Royal Commission recommendations. They need to be properly put in place, so we will save lives. Voice ends. |
