Deathscapes

Ward 6c - A Fatal Zone

Deathscapes

A Fatal Zone of Lawful Indecision

‘In the above context a question arises as to whether or not the deceased was lawfully in custody at the time of his death. The original order in respect of his custody by Sergeant Timmers made on 26 January 2008 had been to attend the Laverton Magistrates Court on Sunday 27 January 2008 at 8:45am. While that order could be taken to have extended to 10:15am when Mr Thompson arrived at the police station, it is doubtful that the order could be extended to apply to a remand to the Kalgoorlie Court until 10am on 29 January 2008 and enable the transportation by GSL of the deceased in custody from Laverton to Kalgoorlie. For the purpose of these reasons it is not necessary for me to determine that legal question.’
(emphasis added)
Alastair Hope (State Coroner)

[BREAK]

A cartoon featured on a protest flyer of people standing outside parliament house with placards demanding justice for Mr Ward and an end to deaths in custody. Text at the bottom of the image reads "What Eddie Mabo was to Native Title, let Mr Ward be to the justice system."[imagecaption] Justice for Mr Ward Rally flyer, Perth, 2010. Image: First Nations Deaths in Custody Watch Committee Inc. [/imagecaption]

 


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This research was primarily supported under the Australian Research Council’s Discovery Projects funding scheme.

Partial funding was received from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s Partnership Development Grants scheme.

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