A "Complicated Fall" | NowPublic News Coverage

A "Complicated Fall"

by clorenz1 | December 20, 2006 at 11:08 am

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Palm Island's community is still in turmoil over the death of a local aboriginal man named, Mulrunji Doomadgee. He was killed in 2004 while being held in police custody. Protest are growing over the fact that the arresting officer is still working, and on Thursday the DPP announced that no charges would be laid against him in the case. Activists have called a rally in Brisbane, and on the island itself.

Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley was the arresting officer, and is now involved in what police have called a "complicated fall." With tensions still running high, the Queensland government is eager to see the matter disappear.

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie travels to Palm Island after being warned not to attend the community meeting, as well the family turned away a request to meet...

As many people now know, Doomadgee, 36, a happy-go-lucky man who loved to hunt and fish, was heard swearing by Hurley and swiftly arrested. Doomadgee, who was very drunk, struggled with the officer at the police station and clipped him on the jaw. Witnesses claim they then saw Hurley hit Doomadgee back, which Hurley denies.

As they entered the police station, Doomadgee tripped over a 7.5cm step and Hurley fell too: beside - not on top of - Doomadgee, Hurley has always said. Another police officer heard Hurley yelling abuse at Doomadgee. A black witness claims he witnessed elements of an assault. In any case, Doomadgee died within 45 minutes of his arrest, with a liver almost cleaved in two, four broken ribs, a ruptured portal vein, a haemorrhaging pancreas and a black eye.