The Wire

Northern Queensland Indigenous Communities have been shaken by two deaths in custody over the weekend. An inmate under guard in Normanton hospital passed away – but of even more concern, the apparently healthy 36-year-old man who died in the Palm Island watch-house on Friday night. Mr Doomadgee was seen out crabbing on Friday morning and had few drinks later in the day. He was known to be friendly when drinking, and certainly not violent or abusive. But he was picked up by police for being drunk and disorderly and put in the cells. Officers later found him pale and with a weak pulse, and he died shortly after. As the community grew angry, two police were evacuated from Palm Island, and fourteen replacements flown in from Townsville. By Monday night, rumours were rife that another 30 armed police would be arriving soon. After working through conflicting reports from police spokespeople, it became clear to that no further reinforcements would be sent to Palm. Police began interviewing witnesses and took a video tape from the watch-house for use in an investigation, to be overseen by Internal affairs, and the Crime and Misconduct Commission. Witnesses allege police bashed Mr Doomadgee as they arrested him on Friday night. One man who was in the cells has made the explosive claim that police offered him $50 to keep his mouth shut. A post-mortem has been conducted, and the results are expected to be released by the State Coroner shortly. The Police Minister has refused to comment while the matter is under investigation, except to extend her sympathies to the family and friends of Mr Doomadgee. The Chair of the Palm Island Council, Erykah Kyle, talks about the outcome of today’s community meeting – and about mainstream media reports linking the death in custody to plans to adopt an Alcohol Management Plan.