Death- in- custody lawyers pledge … ‘ We’ll fight for justice’

THE legal team representing the family of Townsville man Trevor King, who died in police custody, have vowed to fight for justice for his wife, children and the indigenous community.

Mr King, known as “Noomba”, 39, suffered what is believed to have been a fatal heart attack while being restrained by police.

Mr King was allegedly threatening suicide when his partner called police for help.

Solicitor Tony Nikolic said police and ambulance officers knew Mr King had a heart condition before they “used excessive force against him”.

“It is the discretionary decisions made by investigating officers at the early stages following a violent death in which police are suspects, which make it considerably more or less likely that charges will be appropriately laid, if warranted, and a prosecution successfully undertaken,” Mr Nikolic said. “Levitt Robinson ( law firm) will be seeking justice and appropriate compensation for the family who were traumatised by seeing their husband and father die under the weight of police force.”

Queensland Police Union president Ian Leavers defended his officers and said police acted professionally, appropriately and with integrity.

“Not to pre- empt a coronial investigation ( but) the police union’s Northern Region representative, Peter Thomas, and I cannot sit idly by while incorrect things are being said about the actions of the police,” he said. “The police involved only attended the address because the residents themselves called police to attend owing to the behaviour of the deceased. It is highly improper for police to be publicly impugned for their conduct … when a coronial investigation has just begun.”

Indigenous activist Gracelyn Smallwood said the incident indicated police displaying racist and negative stereotyping.

“We strongly believe if there was an indigenous person there this young man would have been alive today because they would have been able to intervene from a cultural, gentle perspective,” she said. “Australia has to now wake up and look at first nation’s peoples because the international arena is focused on this country and their human rights violations.”

Prof Smallwood said the incident must be investigated for the family and the wider indigenous community.

“It’s everybody’s business, this is not just an indigenous problem,” she said.

“Like any family, whether they be indigenous or non- indigenous, it’s the most tragic situation you can even comprehend.”