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  • 4 months ago
The death in custody of a NDIS participant in an Alice Springs supermarket made headlines in May this year, and sparked vigils across the country. Almost three months on, the cause of death for Kumanjayi White is still unknown. But his case is back in the headlines. Court documents seen by the ABC show the NT police prosecutor involved his death is now involved in the prosecution of Mr White's father. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains the name of an Indigenous person who has died.

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00:00The ABC understands NT prosecutor Stephen Haig was one of two plain clothed officers
00:07involved in restraining and arresting Koemanjai White at Cole supermarket on May 27.
00:13Mr Haig has continued working as a police prosecutor in Alice Springs,
00:16while NT police investigate Mr White's death and whether any wrongdoing was involved.
00:21Mr White's father by kinship, Isaac or Martin Jabirula White,
00:25appeared in custody on Wednesday at Alice Springs local court,
00:28charged with contravening a domestic violence order.
00:31The court heard the charges were dismissed as they were improperly laid due to an administrative error.
00:36Court documents seen by the ABC show Mr Haig signed off on this improperly laid charge.
00:41Speaking outside the court, Mr White told the ABC it was wrong Mr Haig could sign off on these charges
00:47given the officer's involvement in his son's death.
00:50He told the ABC he did not think Mr Haig should be working and should be stood down.
00:55Soon after being granted bail, Mr White was arrested and charged again over the same offence
01:00when retrieving his personal items from the police watch house.
01:04Nearly three months on, the cause of Koemanjai White's death remains undetermined
01:07as police wait for a forensic pathologist to complete further investigation.
01:11NT police have previously said the initial autopsy was inconclusive,
01:15but have ruled out an inquiry into Mr White's death.
01:18In a statement, NT police said no charges had been laid, but the community could be assured
01:23that a thorough investigation was underway.
01:25NT police was under way.
01:26NT police voir
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