Northern Territory police officer Zachary Rolfe fatally shot Kumanjayi Walker,but his acquittal has caused anguish and despair for Indigenous Australians who believe that the justice system continues to be stacked against them.
Jurors have been instructed to guard against the strong emotions of the case and approach their task “dispassionately,but also fearlessly”.
The prosecution and defence teams have finished addressing the jury in the trial of Constable Zachary Rolfe,who is accused of murdering Aboriginal man Kumanjayi Walker.
An Aboriginal man allegedly wielding a fishing spear is in a critical condition after a police shooting in the Top End city of Palmerston.
The police officer accused of murdering Kumanjayi Walker rejected allegations he fabricated testimony.
Constable Zachary Rolfe has described the chaotic 3.13 seconds that left an Aboriginal man dead and the nation grappling with one of the most consequential murder trials in recent memory.
The prosecution has closed its case against Constable Rolfe. Now,after almost four weeks,it’s the officer’s turn to defend himself.
The NT’s chief forensic pathologist told Constable Zachary Rolfe’s murder trial it was unlikely the scissors wielded by Kumanjayi Walker could have inflicted fatal wounds.
Constable Zachary Rolfe left the Alice Springs hospital by a back door to avoid gathering crowds,the court heard.
Contrasting interpretations of the Immediate Response Team’s mission on the night Kumanjayi Walker was shot dead in Yuendumu has been a central element in the opening nine days of Constable Zachary Rolfe’s trial for murder.
Constable James Kirstenfeldt was asked whether he was trying to “help” his colleague by failing to recall in evidence crucial details of the “so-called arrest plan” for Kumanjayi Walker.