Police officers in riot gear, wearing balaclavas, with no identification and carrying large guns, marched into the community, conducting early-morning raids. [citation needed], They noted that the Coroner did not refer to that evidence in her report. Cameron Doomadgee's sisters says their brother's death was the first of several family tragedies and they are yet to come to terms with what they see as a terrible injustice. Police officers in riot gear wearing balaclavas with no identification, carrying large guns march into the community conducting early-morning raids. "Brought it up home and it made a big healing process for all of us," Ms Aplin said. Officers preferred confrontation to engagement and operated very much with an us and them attitude. The police station was burned down during the riot, along with the courthouse and Hurleys home. His name was Cameron Doomadgee, and in her new book, "Tall Man," Chloe Hooper sets out to tell his story. For guidance about compiling full citations consult Citing Primary Sources. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, . Queensland Court of Appeal hands down a ruling affirming that the Coroner's findings be overturned, revealing that the Coroner's report failed to mention that medical evidence unequivocally rejected that punching could have caused the death, and ordering a fresh inquest in Mulurunji's death. [8], The Doomadgee family later stated that the Queensland Government's response had not been to provide counselling for the family but to send in 18 extra police from Townsville who "strut around this community, looking intimidating". The media and the Beattie government ignored Doomadgee's death when it happened on November 19. An hour earlier he was very much alive, singing along the street. The monument, a memorial to Cameron Mulrunji Doomadgee, has been moved to his sister Valmai Aplin's front yard on Palm Island, off Townsville. [88] The CMC demanded that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) hand over the tapes and backup tapes of particular interviews with Yanner and Foster which were central to the investigation, the interviews then had to be deleted from ABC audio and computers. Family of Palm Island man who died in police custody relieved memorial has new home. That morning, he had been arrested near the police station after yelling out what the arresting officer,Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley, considered to be abuse directed at Hurley and an Aboriginal police liaison officer who was also on duty. Deputy Coroner Christine Clements finds Snr Sgt Hurley responsible for Mulrunji's fatal injuries. Although Prosecution were concerned with disciplinary proceedings rather than criminal court proceedings, the CMC reached the same conclusion as the DPP in relation to Hurley being criminally responsible for causing the death. "And everyone also wanted a fair and impartial investigation into what really happened.". Hurley then reentered the car and talked with Bengaroo briefly. You see terrible things happening to people without any remedies and theres so much disillusionment in the Indigenous community because they just dont get a fair go under our legal system. He was ordered to pay costs with no other punishment. It detailed 65 recommendations which seek to reduce violence and overcrowding, and improve standards of education and health. A CMC report leaked to the media reportedly recommends that 7 officers will face charges. "What I hope is that those learnings have made us better, and certainly I would hope we can prove to the community that we have taken those learnings very seriously.". [71], Within a month of Doomadgee's death, Hurley was transferred to the Gold Coast[2] where he medically retired in 2017, following a string of charges including assault and dangerous driving. Mr Beattie admitted the events surrounding the death in custody severely damaged relationships. Mulrunji, 36, dies in custody at Palm Island police station after being arrested for being drunk and causing a nuisance. However, Leafe said he believed Hurley's prosecution was a cynical political exercise. [16] They appeared to have jumped to a conclusion given their description of the death as "cold blooded murder". He is drunk, and as they arrive at the station he strikes Senior Sergeant Christopher Hurley in the face. They delayed Mulrunji's funeral and insisted that the Coroner order a second "independent autopsy" to be observed by a pathologist on behalf of the Doomadgee family. [53] Prosecutor Peter Davis suggested that this (the fact of giving a shorter estimate in court not the out of court attempt to get a more accurate estimate) was an attempt to sabotage prosecutors. Councillor Lacey agreed Palm Island was a different place now. Aboriginal activist Murrandoo Yanner and relative of the Doomadgee family was at the centre of controversy over his calls for Aboriginal people to bash all "racist cops" and for all police stations to be burnt. [26], By 6 December 2004, 19 accused were granted bail by the Queensland Chief Magistrate. As he had no visible injuries at the time of his arrest, there was an autopsy that revealed massive internal injuries. He was taken into custody by Senior Sargeant Chris Hurley, accompanied by . "I don't regret what happened at that particular time," he said. Cameron Doomadgee was picked up and arrested on November 19, 2004 for allegedly causing a public nuisance. Hurley drove over to Mulrunji and arrested him for creating a public nuisance,[14] after which Mulrunji was taken in the back of the police vehicle for the short trip to the police station. Sir Laurence advises there is enough evidence to prosecute Snr Sgt Hurley, who is officially suspended. The resolution specifically asked that the Centre not be in the possession of the Police Citizens Youth Club Association or the Queensland Police Service. Additionally the Palm Island Council moved a resolution asking that the Centre not be opened until its use and occupancy could be agreed upon between the State and Local Governments. What happened in the 45 minutes from Doomadgee's arrest till his death should weigh heavily on Australian audiences. "The mischief lies in what was an abandonment of the truth to avoid the possibility of short-term political embarrassment. What really happened to Cameron Doomadgee? Australia: Police Response to Aboriginal Death in Custody and Ensuing Riot Ruled Discriminatory. On November 19th 2004, Cameron Doomadgee, also known as Mulrunji, was arrested for allegedly causing a public nuisance. "I think that's something at the end of the day that we have to live with.". The Attorney-General of Queensland, Kerry Shine, indicted an Australian police officer for a criminal trial for the first time since the public prosecutor's office was established. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. In response, residents took to the streets and burnt down buildings, including the police station. These actions followed the death in custody of Aboriginal man Cameron Doomadgee, referred to by his traditional name Mulrunji after his arrest and confrontation with . [39] Included in the allegations made against Hurley was that he wrongfully caused the death of Mulrunji. 26 November 2004 Doomadgee's autopsy results indicate that he died from internal injuries, with the island's pathologist claiming they are the result of "a fall". [23], An emergency situation was declared under the Public Safety Preservation Act 1986 (the Act) on the afternoon of the riot. [15], On Friday 26 November 2004 the results of the autopsy report were read to a public meeting by then Palm Island Council Chairwoman Erykah Kyle.
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