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Aboriginal Law Bulletin

Aboriginal Law Bulletin (ALB)
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Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "The Muirhead Inquiry (RCIADIC)" [1988] AboriginalLawB 19; (1988) 1(31) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 3


The Muirhead Inquiry

The following item continues the AboriginalLB summary of evidence presented at the Muirhead Royal Commission on Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

Kingsley Dixon [died 9 July, 1987]

Previous evidence heard by Royal Commissioner James Muirhead, QC, centered on allegations of harassment of Kingsley Dixon by prison officers at Adelaide goal. ([1988] AboriginalLB 2; 1(30)pg2) Recent evidence submitted to the commission cast doubt upon the deceased's physical capacity to have tied the noose from which he was found hanging. The evidence related to the probability of a right-handed person having tied the particular knots in the noose (Kingsley was left-handed) and to Mr Dixon's state of drug intoxication at the time of death.

Allegations were also made that prisoners who had given evidence at the Muirhead inquiry were subsequently bashed at Adelaide Remand Centre. It is respectfully suggested that the commission needs to fully address the problem of witness protetion, through the arrangement of specific provisions for custodial and community protection of its witnesses.

Aboriginal prisoners at the Yatala Labour Prison made a 'constructive contribution' to the Adelaide sittings. Details on their submission - from a group calling itself the Sansbury Association - were reported in March issue of Land Rights News. Essentially, the group recommended that the South Australian Government make a number of key changes in the operation of the prison system, a move which it claimed could prevent potential suicides. On 22 April, the South Australian Government apparently tabled guidelines for changes in prison practices at the Muirhead Royal Commission.

Eddie Murray [died 12 June, 1981]

Within two hours of being detained under the NSW Intoxicated Persons Act, Eddie Murray was found hanged in the Wee Waa police lock-up. At the 1981 coronial inquest, the coroner's verdict was inconclusive on whether Eddie 'died at his own hand or the hand of person or persons unknown.'

In evidence before the Royal Commission:

In other recent matters concerning the Royal Commission:


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