The latest chapter in the sorry saga of Palm Island is just as disgusting as the previous chapters of death in custody, riots, the destruction of the police office and convictions of purported riot ringleaders, and many years of chronic discontent.

The decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Leanne Clare, not to charge police officer Chris Hurley over the death of Aboriginal man Mulrunji Doomadgee on Palm Island is deplorable in the highest order.

It flies in the face of Acting Coroner Christine Clements’ conclusion that Hurley was responsible for the death.

No matter how little chance Ms Clare thought there was of Hurley being convicted in a court of law, she should have let this process play out. It was imperative that the whole business be resolved in an open court.

The police are being seen to be protected. Respect for the law and for rigorous transparent legal process has gone out the window completely for the indigenous community and for a lot of ‘mainstream’ society as well.

The Palm Island community, which was severely disaffected by the original event, is now probably irreconcilably alienated. And the whole indigenous community across Australia has been dragged down to varying degrees along with it.

Condemnation of this decision has been overwhelming. And if there is anyone who actually agrees with it, they are remaining very quiet.

This cannot be allowed to be the end of it. Premier Beatty has the power to step past this decision and order an independent inquiry. This simply MUST happen….and quickly.

Yes, I agree completely, Ludwig.

On the face of it, this seems to be a case of injustice not only being done, but also being seen to be done.

What is Beattie thinking? I think he's turning into Joh.

I read the Deputy State Coroner report- it was made publicly available. She penned it herself.
Last week I would have thought Leanne Clare’s legal analysis would have also been made accessible. Instead all I read was a press release and nothing more.
For such a controversial determination and in the interest of public confidence in the law one would have though a much more detailed analysis would have been made available.
But no, Beattie has now said he would have the Solicitor-General, Walter Sofronoff, explain why Ms Clare had come to a different conclusion from that of Ms Clements.
The cries from Beattie and the President of the Qld Police Union Judy Spence about independence is ludicrous. Clare was appointed on the basis of political choice, not professional merit.
I could say so much more but it’s just too hard to come up with words to express this deep ache inside me.
Come to the rally this Wednesday at 12 noon.- Queens Park (Corner of George & Elizabeth Streets, opposite the casino)

Evidence showed that the physical action taken by the police officer against the thug did not cause his death.

End of story. You can ignore the evidence if you wish. The magistrate cannot.

Perhaps Leigh can explain how a "simple fall" can break four ribs and split a vital organ in half and result in a black eye. 200+ years of political interference has failed to further the integration of aborigines in white society.

Leigh, twisted and bitter as you are I doubt even you would find it difficult to understand why Leanne Clare's call on the matter was contrary to the medical evidence.

The State Coroner stated that:

"All the expert medical evidence also concurred that a fall together, side-by-side, of the two men onto a flat surface was unlikely to have caused the injury that occurred. I accept that evidence".

But apparently you do, which leads me to simply conclude that your toxic racism is once again clouding any sensible and objective analysis

Leigh
Why do you call Mulrunji a thug?

Is it because of the circumstances of his arrest or just because he is an Aborigine and all Aborigines are thugs?

Please familiarise yourself with the circumstance of his arrest within your concept of "evidence"

coroners report
http://www.justice.qld.gov.au/courts/coroner/findings/mulrunji270906.pdf

I would be very interested for you to identify Mulrunji's thuggery and share this with us as your above post just makes you look like a racist apologist for unprovoked police harrassment and brutality and I am sure no real Australian would ever want to be misunderstood as supporting such things

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN US IN A
³A MARCH FOR JUSTICE²
IN REGARDS TO THE DPP DECISION NOT TO CHARGE SNR SGT CHRIS HURLEY FOR
THE
DEATH OF MULRUNJI DOOMADGEE
THE MARCH WILL BE HELD THIS WEDNEDSAY 20TH DEC 2006 FROM CENTRAL PARK
OPPOSITE DEAN PARK IN THE TOWNSVILLE CITY HEART
THE MARCH WILL START AT 10.30AM SHARP
WE ASK ALL MARCHERS TO GATHER AT CENTRAL PARK BY 10.15AM
COME AND MAKE A STAND FOR JUSTICE, EQUITY AND TRUTH!

AND

EMERGENCY BRISBANE COMMUNITY RALLY AND MARCH

Show your support for Palm Islanders!

JUSTICE FOR MULRINJI, NO MORE COVER UPS

This is a Peaceful Rally!

Rally 12noon Wednesday December 20
Queens Park (Corner of George & Elizabeth Streets, opposite the casino)
March on state parliament

Please come along - but if you can't please send this message on to
others
and encourage them to attend!

"Merry Christmas"

I either read or heard the other day. 'Somethings rotten in the State of Queensland'

I concur with that view and I label it Political interference in the judicial system.

It has been that way since the Beatie Government took over. I don't know about before.

Remember the Sheperdson inquiry into electoral irregularities, that was susoended when it started to uncover things the Government did not want known.

They jailed Pauline Hanson on trumped up charges and on the flimisyist of evidence. A higher court aquitted her and have not awarded her the costs. Still have not given her back the $200,000 in electoral funds she repayed to them. They wanted her in jail, so used political influnce to do that.

This latest case is different in that they do not want a certain person to face court, so they use political influence to acheive that. Even though the coroners report suggests otherwise.

And what about the goings on in the health system, and i believe I heard things about the julvenile detention system.

Yeah, there is something rotten in Queensland alright.

ONLINE PETITION FOR Mulrinji
The petition is in response to the DPP's incredible decision to ignore the Deputy Coroners findings that police were responsible for Mulrinji's death, and to accept that Mulrinji "fell" (getting 4 broken ribs and a liver split in two through the "fall") .

It is now available online. Please immediately sign the petition online
http://www.petitiononline.com/mulrinji/petition.html

Please send this to any and every supporter of justice in the lead-up to Wednesday's rally. We need as much public pressure as possible to reverse this disgusting decision which devalues every Aboriginal life, and ultimately, every human being.

For any further information, call Sam Watson on 0401 227 443

Despite medical and other evidence clearly showing that Senior Sergeant Hurley had breached many police standing orders and duty of care procedures the DPP Leanne Clare relied on ‘new’ evidence (yet to be revealed) to reach the conclusion that Hurley should not face a jury in a court of law.

The facts :

• Senior Sergeant Hurley conducted an unnecessary and unlawful arrest resulting in the untimely death of Mulrunji;
• Senior Sergeant Hurley delayed informing Mulrunji’s family, thus showing absolute contempt for the family;
• Senior Sergeant Hurley along with his police mates colluded and orchestrated the initial investigation which then compromised its integrity;
• Senior Sergeant Hurely failed to properly assess and provide care for Mulrunji whilst he was incarcerated;
• Senior Sergeant Hurley failed to properly monitor Mulrunji and other people in the watch house;
• Senior Sergeant Hurely failed to be in a position to provide first aid to Mulrunji.

Hurley’s own counsel has accepted that the fatal injuries to Mulrunji were caused by Hurley himself. But no charges of even common assault have been made!

But now it appears DPP Clare believes Mulrunji bashed himself up, that his injuries were a ‘tragic accident’ with no connection to Hurley’s own actions.

Somewhere between Hurley’s counsel admitting criminal intent and thus the fatal outcome of his actions – the DPP has found Hurley’s actions did not warrant prosecution.

What was this magical evidence?

It should be noted that the Qld DPP did not hesitate in charging three bouncers for the death of a patron in a Brisbane in May this year. Why is Hurley different? Is it because he is a policeman?

The DPP's incompetence in presiding over previous cases has been conveniently overlooked by the government. Beattie calls this protecting ‘independence’.

The evidence so far clearly suggests that a brutal combination of legal dysfunctionality and blind racist discrimination exists.

Beattie should simply tell Palm Islanders the the law in Qld clearly has a negative predilection for Aboriginal people.

Anything less would be a lie.

Hi there...

Again, I'm not in receipt of ALL the facts...however, I'm sometimes quite ashamed to have been in the job! I've read a little of the events at Palm Island, concerning the sad demise of Mr.Cameron DOMMADGEE, aka MULRUNJI. Apparently as a result of a 'fall'sustained whilst being placed in a cell by Snr. Sgt Chris HURLEY at the Palm Island Police Station.

That the Deputy State Coroner, found Sgt. Hurley had been less then truthful, in relation to his version of events. Is at the very least worrying, and at worst, shameful.

And to further compound this whole sorry saga, is the needless death of Mr. DOMMADGEE'S son Eric, aged 15 years, who apparently suicided shortly thereafter !

Many of Eric's family and friends exclaim that he took his own life because of the dreadful hurt, and feelings of total disillusionment he felt. And what he perceived (in his mind) was a clear mis-carriage of justice, with respect to the enquiry into the circumstances of his Dad's death. Who will ever know ? What we do know, is that two young human beings have been needlessly and prematurely deprived of precious life...........................

O Sung Wu.

o sung wu,

I'm sure there are others in the QPS who also feel ashamed.

But I feel they too have been let down by the DPP's decision and Beatties' politicisation of the whole affair from the outset.

What will he achieve tomorrow when he visits Palm Island?

What was essentially a matter that required a steady and impartial hand of both legal and political leadership has become a farce.

That Col Dillon, a decorated Indigenous police officer has resigned in disgust is another indicator of how symptomatic this issue is of a failure of government to understand its own political identity as instrumental in matters of law.

Underlying notions of equality before the law are for me organic concepts of human brotherhood as well as tenets of law. From this arises a duty to observe good faith in dealings between members of communities.

That good faith and the development of a joint moral community (albeit incremental and small) has been irreparably damaged over many years by government and police.

It has now been ripped apart in shreds and scattered to the winds.

The Palm Island incident was treated like another day in the office by Beattie et al, another Indigenous uprising requiring the usual paternalistic platitudes politicians are well versed in handing out. It was not.

Did you know that Palm Island has the highest murder rate per capita in the world?

I know a few aboriginals from Palm Island. I'm part aboriginal myself. As a homeless guy I usually meet up with them around the food vans certain nights. I can say with perfect honesty that they are the biggest trouble makers there. Because they are from such a violent community they seem to know no other way of behaving after one too many drinks. A real shame because when they are sober they are largely really nice people and easy to get along with.

I was talking to a Brisbane cop about the Mulrunji incident and he knew the officer accused of killing him. Said he was a top bloke too. To work on such an island with such a small community requires a good relationship with the locals and an understanding of their special needs. I think the cops there have been doing their best but its a trying workplace.

What happened was probably a fight between the two where the cop defended himself and got too carried away. Mulrunji was a big man and I'm sure he was dishing out a few hard blows. I don't think the cop was much in the wrong there. However, I do think he tried to cover it all up and thats unforgivable. A split liver from falling over! Give me a break. The community isn't stupid and I'm not surprised they became furious and burned down the court house.

You will all be pleased to know that the system you hate so much will now hold a review into the whole matter of the death and the police officer's part in it.

Hopefully, the enquiry will shed some light on the behaviour of the undeniably drunken deceased, his general attitude towards law and order and the police.

Palm Island and its inhabitants have hardly demonstrated peace and tranquility in the past.

Ever noticed the level of 'racism' is directionally proportional to the amount of contact people have with aborigines? I'm sure anyone who had to deal with drunk and violent aborigines on a regular basis would be disgusted by them and develop a very negative attitude, wish would then be referred to as racism, by people insulated by distance. If the aborigines think they can 'sing' the cop to death then why not leave it at that?

Wayne Smith is not part Aboriginal at all. I know of him and his Right wing activities here in Brisbane. He and his lunatic right wing coterie of cowardly mates are atypical of the scum Aboriginal people have to put up with here in Brisbane.

I ask everyone, even those I may disagree with in discussion, not to take him seriously at all. We don't need his kind of hysterical opportunism and racism here on OLO.

ts clear that he can't help but become an opportunist after people die tragically, its what he does for a living.

I have asked GY to remove his post

It is almost funny how much outrage there is when a 'white' person is involved in the death of someone with aboriginal blood despite the fact that almost all aborigines murdered are murdered by other aborigines. Every effort has been made to provide opportunities for aboriginal people (not to mention the zillions of dollars) but the sympathy quotient is running out because the good intentions and hard currency have been squandered by people that find getting blotto and blaming whitey is just too easy.

Citizen,

Wow! that was some real original thought there!

I've never read something like that before, so informed and educated it blew me away.

Which chapter of the KKK do you belong to??

Citizen, you are wasting your time. Rainier has a built in set of blinkers which prevents him from seeing anything that is posted about aboriginals as perhaps having some relevance. The death of Doomadgee was certainly an outrage, as is the failure of the DPP to presecute the perpetrator, but so are the deaths of all the other aboriginies at the hands of their fellows which never get reported. Rainier, find someone in Alice Springs and see if you can get a handle on the aboriginal homicide problem before you make any more postings.

Well I was disgusted with Leigh and his outright racist venom.

But Citizen's pretend acknowlegement of the problems faced by indigenous people followed by a kick to the guts was even worse.

I have heard the argument before that aborigines, despite "every effort" we make to help them, drink it all and laze their lives away. There is something to be said for individual responsibility, however the reality is that it is a social problem for the whole of our society. Throwing money and programs at them and telling them to smarten up is of little use if they have limited opportunities. Considering many white people have limited opportunities, aborigines are going to find it even harder.

Aborigines have particular problems relating to relatively recent attempts to annihalate them, destroy their families, deprive them of their land, and erase their culture and assimilate them into a culture completely foreign to them. It is so patronising to say that we have made "every effort" to help them so they should be able to get on with it by now. Who the hell are we to judge what is right for them and whether they should be over it by now?

Even white people who have suffered trauma in their lives, or even in their family history, can have problems such as acoholism, drug abuse, emotional problems etc.

This refusal to even go through the motions of charging Hurley reveals the contempt the ruling classes hold for indigenous people and working class people generally. It is undertandable that Aboriginal people feel helpless and frustrated. As a white person I am sickened.

You can't make a decision to prosecute just based on an emotional or political reaction. It has to be a decision made on the facts. One cannot say that because the Coroner decided that Hurley caused Mulrunji's death, then the DPP must also decide Hurley should stand trial. The standards of proof and the evidence which would be admissible are different in an Inquest and in a criminal trial. As I have argued in my post on this topic, the DPP had certain factors to take into account.
http://legalsoapbox.blogspot.com/2006/12/palm-tree-justice.html

As a lawyer, from what I know of the facts of this case, I personally would have decided to prosecute Hurley. However, that is not to say that it is an easy decision.

The reason why I think that there is a case against Hurley is because in his initial statements of interview with police, he said he did not fall on Mulrunji. Therefore, the injury must have been caused in some other way. The autopsies disclosed that severe compressive force would be needed to cause such an injury. Mulrunji seemed to be fine but intoxicated when taken from the police van and could not walk by the time he was deposited in his cell. If Hurley did not fall on Mulrunji, then an inference can be drawn that he applied severe compressive force in another way (ie, by hitting him) during the time Mulrunji was taken from van to cell.

That's my 10 cents worth.

Legal Eagle

It is very hard to comprehend why there is such an issue about deciding whether to prosecute Hurley or not. In just about every situation, if the police think that there is a case to be answered, charges get laid and the matters get sorted out in court. Obviously there is a case to answer here.

Surely in a matter this serious, an extensive open examination of the matter in a court of law should be seen as essential.

As you say, there is considerable evidence, or compelling hearsay, or conflicting accounts, that are well and truly sufficient for Hurley to be charged. As to whether this evidence holds up in a court of law is another thing. But surely the only circumstances where he shouldn’t be charged would be where he is patently not at fault.

The Director of Public Prosecutions decides whether to prosecute based on;

The evidence being deemed to be sufficient to justify proceedings and

The level of public interest in getting a prosecution or an acquittal, or in short to have the matter formally and transparently sorted out.

Clearly there is a prima facie case here. Clearly the evidence is sufficient to justify proceedings. A jury could well reach a guilty verdict based on the nature of Mr Doomadgee’s injuries and expert testimony as to how they could have been caused, even in the absence of hard evidence as to Hurley’s actions or lack of actions in this regard.

And it is patently obvious to all that there is a huge public interest component.

So, how on earth Leanne Clare reached the conclusion that she did is beyond me.

I hope to goodness that the review comes to the opposite conclusion.

Please read this article if you want to understand Palm Island and it's history.
http://www.faira.org.au/lrq/archives/199901/stories/shameful-white-history.html

I don't think most people understand the circumstances leading up to the death of Mulrunji.
1. He did not have a criminal record.
2. He was not a violent person.
3. He was a well respected leader in his community.

He did not fit the stereotype that most non-aboriginal people have of Aboriginal men.

VK3AUU, Citizen, leigh,

As usual, you're childish posts are just cheap shots, with no analysis, just the same redneck reasoning you use in every discussion list.

Yes you can get your kicks posting stuff like to stirr the pot but what comes round goes round. Mark my words.

Oh indeed it does. That is why most of your lot are still in the stone age.

Well that explanation doesn't provide a reason for why you appear to be quite out of your depth in any discussion here?

Why does someone like you have very limited intellectual capacities?

1.Bad schooling?

2.Mispent youth?

3.Or just inherently ignorant and proud of it?

My bet is on No 3.

And another silly faux pas in this whole silly saga – Pat Shanahan steps down as the head of the review of the DPP’s decision not to charge Hurley.

So now we are back in limbo, looking for someone to take on this job.

Of course, Shanahan should not have even been in consideration in the first place…if we are to place any significance in the perception of conflict of interest.

Well at least Beatty and everyone else who matters is in agreement that a review must take place.

Is Rainier as stupid as his writing suggests? How is it he never gets banned for his abusive postings?

The Queensland police have been given too much power.
Is this becoming a police state again?

Is it alright for the police to brutalise a citizen and get away with it? It not only happened to Mulrunji, it is happening every day to Aboriginal people. But the difference is that most people don't die.
We must stand up and speak out against this evil.

Silence is agreeance.

Wayne Smith, Meet me at the next Brisbane Rally for this issue. I'd be only too happy to introduce you to lots of people you claim to be a 'part of'.

Just step up to the mike and say "Is Rainier here", I'd love to meet you face to face. You sound like a wonderful human being.

I can tell you all about Palm Island, I've got lots of family there who would love to meet a 'part aborigine'. BTW Which part of your body is Aboriginal?

It's a wonder you havn't tried to flogg off a website address to Palm Islanders. That's what culture vultures /ambulance/ hearse chasers do - is it not?

Me abusive? Hey I give as good as I get here. Or am I supposed to cop it because that's what you expect of me?

LOL!

Wayne Smith... you say that you were told that Chris Hurley is a top guy? Yeh well, some people said that Hitler was a great guy to.

How ignorant can one be. Do you want Aboriginal people to be ashamed to be Aboriginal?

I think you need some education. Don't throw the baby out with the bath-water!
Make sure you are at the rally on 26th Jan.
You may meet some real Aboriginal people (sarcasm).
You may think it is easy being black. Think again.

Listen lady, I am not very interested in things aboriginal.
I would just like them to be like any other 3% of the population.

Hasbeen, who's asking for your interest anyway?

Right on, Hasbeen. 3% of the population should really be allowed to cause only 3% of the fuss and bother. Apart from activists and people paid to make a fuss, most Austalians are not the slightest bit interested in them.

You have the right attitude. The aboriginal minority and it's self-inflicted problems have really become THE most boring subject on OLO.

Gee Leigh, for someone with no interest you certainly have lots of opinions and comment. Is it because you secretly love us?

Nice to read another perspicacious comment from Leigh. That it was in affirmative response to the boofheaded comment by the aptly-named Hasbeen only increases its capacity to enlighten us about his attitudes to Indigenous Australians.

It's people like Leigh and Hasbeen who are the biggest problem facing Aboriginal people in Australian society. The lumbering machinations of State judicial systems that produce conspicuously unjust decisions - like those of the Qld DPP in this instance - only persist where ignorant uninterest is perceived to be dominant in the electorate.

In this instance, there appears to be some hope for justice precisely because enough fair-minded people made enough noise that Beattie had to act. Fortunately, those who hold outmoded racist ideas about Aboriginal people still appear to be very much in the minority, despite the intensity of their bleatings in forums such as this.

Another problem with the undoubtedly unjust judicial system as far as aboriginals in most of Australia is concerned, is that it gives those who have no desire to help themselves get out of the disadvantaged position that they are in, any incentive to do anything to better themselves.

While the majority of the white community has a good deal of sympathy for the aboriginals, it seems that a large number of police and related law enforcement agencies do not share that compassion. I suspect that is because the ones who have to deal with the problems first hand, are not viewing the situation through rose coloured glasses.

Those who have never lived in aboriginal areas, as I have, do not really have a handle on the day to day problems faced by each side.

CJ Morgan,

So, it’s people like Hasbeen and me who are the “biggest problem” facing aboriginals.

Wow! What powerful people we must be. Particularly when you claim that there are more people like you than there are like us.

We also have the problem of “ignorant uninterest” – you could have used the correct “disinterest” instead of wasting time looking up “perspicacious” to impress we ignorant people. Do you leave your spell check off?

You “bleatings in forums such as this” clearly demonstrate that you are a very confused person who is always tripping himself up.

"Another problem with the undoubtedly unjust judicial system as far as aboriginals in most of Australia is concerned, is that it gives those who have no desire to help themselves get out of the disadvantaged position that they are in, any incentive to do anything to better themselves".

I was wondering when this one would emerge, its one of about 20 racist explanations that get trotted out when the going gets tough for redneck discussing Aboriginal affairs.

Years ago my standard response to this one is to begin asking the proponents of these types of comments to consider what it would be like to live and breathe my peoples immediate history and political challenges. But it always failed. Why? Well its because they know they don't have to, will never have to and from this white privileged position they can declare anything they want.

This is after what racism is - an inability to understand ones privilege and to blame others without any self reflection at all. Then it dawned on me, its not about us but about themselves, their own sense of lack, their own bloody failure to succeed, be loved or regarded as special.

They loath it when people they consider to be of a lower specie to actually do better than themselves.

So now I simply ask them why they have not succeeded as much as me or many other Aboriginal people..

Dear VK3AUU and Leigh – why are you both such dismal failures? I really want to know how you didn’t develop into much more humane and successful people. Seriously, I want to know why?

Rainier

Read

http://www.artofeurope.com/shakespeare/sha8.htm

VK3AUU,

Read some articles here,(if you can). Guess which one I wrote! (yes, its an academic journal)

http://www.borderlandsejournal.adelaide.edu.au/issues/vol3no2.html

No Leigh. I meant 'uninterest' rather than 'disinterest'.

From the Concise Macquarie Dictionary:

" 'Disinterested':

1. Unbiased by personal involvement or advantage.
2. (Colloq.) Uninterested.

...

'Uninterested':

1. Having or showing no feeling of interest; indifference.
2. Not personally concerned with something.
3. (Colloq.) Disinterested. "

I suppose, technically speaking, I should have written "lack of interest" or "indifference", but that wouldn't have conveyed quite the same meaning, would it? Whatever the case, I'm sure the distinction wouldn't be all that important to one who is as conspicuously 'indifferent' to Indigenous issues as you seem to be in this forum.

Hey everyone, I am wondering what all this crap has to do with the issue at hand!
Do we all agree that there was an injustice done on Palm Island with the murder of Mulrunji?
That is what this forum is set up to discuss.
If you can't see this, and all you want to do is dog Aboriginal people, then stay off this forum.
The question is "If the judicial system will not help Aboriginal people, then what hope is there?"

Welcome to Australia.
The colour of your skin still makes a difference.
If you are born in Australia and have dark skin the chances of arrest greatly increase.
There is no hiding the truth.
History tells the story of two hundred and fifty years of racial abuse.
Brave is the man who can judge such a past.
The disadvantage of locally born people is a national disgrace.
Look at what happens when a person is locked up by immigration in Australia,or gets deported to the country of birth by officialdom.
The government give a unending cheque to the defenders.
Indigenous people around the world are being robbed of their birth right.To live in peace on their own island.

Brock
What is the arrest & imprison rate of Australians of Indian & Sri Lankan origin?

Please tell us the figures so we verify your hypothesis?

Like you give a stuff Horus.
Grow up.

Good old Acrosternum hilare-Rainier .
When threatened, release a cloud of noxious gas & run for cover.

What do you say Rainier. If Brock’s hypothesis is true ,it should be able to answer my test.

What is rate of arrest & imprisonment amongst Australians of Indian or Sri Lankan extraction ?
(& while we’re at it, it would interesting & relevant to look at the standard of living of Australians of Indian & Sri Lankan extraction)

I don’t know Rainer -Brock may be absolutely spot on…

But since Brock is loudly declaring it to be true, I would have thought he would have considered all such relevant statistics & be in the position to quote them…

This thread is so interesting :). Take it from PERSONAL experience with police, the courts, and others regarding criminal cover ups when it comes to police breaking the law.
This is only opinion, mind you [ hee hee hee ]
The DPP in this instance was TOLD what to find by ?
Certain entities connected to the case will NOT be told what to find [ hence the inditment ].
There is a clandestine network envolving high ranking police and a thin thread of underlings placed in key positions that protect the integrety of all officers no matter what they do. This network extends to police prosecuters in at least one magistrates court, a police stooly in the CMC that passes on all complaints against police TO police before the CMC ever gets to hear about it [ time for cover up fellers ]. Key person or persons in Beatties office that tell key persons in the police how to proceed against political agitators.
Do you think evidence against 5 people in police, courts, public service [ max jail time 3-5 years ] qualifies me to KNOW what I'm talking about ? Wake up please, it's time for REAL investigation by someone who has nothing to hide.

It seems as though justice might, and I only say might, be about to overtake the protagonist on Palm Island at last. Even though he is charged, it is still unlikely that a Queensland court will find him guilty. In the remote chance that he is found guilty, there will undoubtedly be an appeal and so it will go on to the usual Queensland whitewash of police "misdemeanors".

So Hurley has been charged afterall. Thank goodness for that. I’m not passing judgement on his guilt or innocence, just expressing a very strong view that in this instance there is most definitely enough evidence for him to be charged, and that such a serious and high-profile matter simply MUST be sorted out in an open court.

So now the police are taking extraordinary action in protest of him being charged!

Well!

Just when I thought that nothing in this amazing saga could shock or amaze me further, I find another chapter that I consider to be as bad as anything that has happened to date.

The police must SURELY support the notion that a person involved in a major incident who is not patently innocent of any wrongdoing, should be charged and tried in a court of law. How can they possibly not support this? How can they be seen to be placing themselves and Senior Sergeant Hurley fairly and squarely above the law?

How dare they give the impression that police officers can act with impunity, even to the extent of being involved in a death in their immediate presence, without being publicly held to account?

Needless to say I am utterly disgusted with the police protest against the charging of Chris Hurley.

"I’m not passing judgement on his guilt or innocence,"

But you do think that:
"..sensible straightforward reporting, and opinions, by all sorts of people in full gamut of the media, suggests that Hurley is probably guilty ..."
http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=5586

Is that why you are happy to turn a blind eye to the political interference?

"...just expressing a very strong view that in this instance there is most definitely enough evidence for him to be charged"

Is that your expert opinion as an experienced criminal lawyer (which I presume you aren't) who isn't a party to the case and doesn't have all the facts?

"... serious and high-profile matter simply MUST be sorted out in an open court."

The existence of serious matters is why there is a DPP in the first place to decide whether or not they warrant going to court and to prosecute if they are. The system is founded on an innocent until proven guilty presumption. If a case can be made out against someone they must go to trial. If it can't they shouldn't have the stress and stigma of a trial. High profile is whatever media choose to report so it means nothing.

"The police must SURELY support the notion that a person involved in a major incident who is not patently innocent of any wrongdoing, should be charged and tried in a court of law."

Perhaps like the pathologist, the DPP, and the CMC they consider him patently innocent of any wrongdoing.

"How dare they give the impression that police officers can act with impunity..."

That was a Courier Mail headline. The police protested illegitimate political interference in the justice system.

Mj, I am pleased that you read everything that I write and consider it all in detail. You have a good debating style.

But we’ve been over all of this stuff, especially on the ‘Hurley 6747’ thread (http://forum.onlineopinion.com.au/thread.asp?article=5586) and there is simply no point in continuing with it.