Briscoe family set sights on cops - Northern Territory News

THE family of an Aboriginal man who died in custody is starting a petition in an effort to have charges laid against police officers.

Kwementyaye Briscoe, as he has been known since his death, died on January 4 from a mixture of being extremely drunk and possible asphyxiation caused by the way he was lying in his cell, the Northern Territory coroner found in September.

Read more on the Coroner's findings here

"I'm asking for charges to be laid against police for what was done and for real changes to be implemented, rather than empty words," Mr Briscoe's aunt Patricia Morton-Thomas said in the petition.

According to the website hosting the petition, more than 8300 people have supported it.

Mr Briscoe had been taken into custody by Alice Springs police for his own protection because he was drunk.

At the inquest into his death CCTV showed one officer, Constable Gareth Evans, dragging him into a reception area and later flinging him on to a reception desk.

Coroner Greg Cavanagh said Constable Evans used "undue vigour" in his actions, but probably did not commit any crime.

Another officer had continued surfing the internet while ignoring attempts by other prisoners to get help for the dying man.

None of the 12 police directly involved in his care were sacked over their actions on the night he died.

"My nephew was a soft-hearted, funny and humble man," Ms Morton-Thomas said in a statement.

"He kept my family connected and reminded us that money and wealth would not mourn for us when we passed, only those we love and (who) love us."

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Source: http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2012/11/06/314857_ntnews.html

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