THE Queensland Director of Public Prosecutions says she will not
seek an external review of her decision not to charge a policeman
over the death of a Palm Island man in custody.
Leanne Clare last week announced that Senior Sergeant Chris
Hurley would not be charged over Mulrunji Doomadgee's death in
2004.
Premier Peter Beattie said yesterday Attorney-General Kerry
Shine had sent a letter to Ms Clare saying a review or second
opinion on her decision would be supported by the Premier.
But Ms Clare said in a statement she would not be seeking such a
review. "If this case had gone to a jury no law-abiding citizen,
black or white, Christian or Muslim, would have found this man
guilty."
ALP president Warren Mundine said: "I don't think she's got it
through her thick skull that she has now jeopardised the reputation
of the entire Queensland justice system."
He said that indigenous Queenslanders would now be forced to
challenge the law.
ANNABEL STAFFORD, AAP
