‘We want straight answers’: Family’s frustration over Kowanyama Mr George inquest

Six relatives of a Western Cape York man who died in custody in a watch house 19 months ago are frustrated their questions over the death of their loved one have not been answered as a stop-start inquest continues.

Milton George, who died in police custody in Kowanyama in November 2022. Picture: Supplied by the George family.

Six relatives of a Western Cape York man who died in custody in a watch house 19 months ago are frustrated their questions over the death of their loved one have not been answered as a stop-start inquest continues.

The inquest into the death of Milton George at Kowanyama watch house began before State Coroner Terry Ryan with pre-inquest hearings in early 2023 and the inquest sitting for several days in Cairns in February this year.

A further hearing was held in Brisbane on Tuesday with a video link to Cairns courthouse, and family members travelled 600km again to attend.

Queensland Police chief inspector Mark Harvey, who has a PhD in police training, was questioned extensively about cultural capability and custodial care management training for police stationed in First Nations communities.

Mr George, who died in police custody in Kowanyama in November 2022. Picture: Supplied by the George family.

He said he had a strong interest in improving the professionalism of QPS and ethical conduct and his PhD revolved around adult learning theory and social learning theory.

“Social theory is the predominant culture in the organisation, the way in which people behave in the organisation impacts on the work culture, a more positive culture leads to more positive outcomes,” he explained.

The adult learning theory related to what was likely to apply in the real world, he said.

He was asked about assessment of mental health, blood alcohol testing and if he was familiar with an emergency examination authority.

But outside the courtroom, bewildered family members said they wanted basic questions answered.

Mr George’s sister Gwynette George said her brother’s clothes and his sheet should have been given to the family and it was a breach of cultural protocol not to do so.

The Yirr Thangdel man’s clothes and the sheet should have been in the home when an ironwood smoking ceremony took place before he was buried on country, she said.

“Nobody has been able to tell us where the sheet is,” Ms George said.

Family of Mr George (L-R) Francine Gilbert, Jacob Aidan, Gwenette George, Taylilah Zingle and Elwina Bernard comfort each other outside the Cairns Coroner's Court on the final day of the coronial inquest into his death in police custody in November 2022. Picture: Brendan Radke

She said it was unclear to her whether Mr George died in the watch house or at the clinic, where they were informed he was dead.

“He had a very high blood alcohol reading, he should not have been in custody, they had a duty of care,” she said.

Family of Mr George (L-R) Alistair Aidan, Rowena Aidan, Gwenette George and Gordon Aidan comfort each other outside the Cairns Coroner's Court on the first day of the coronial inquest into his death in police custody in November 2022. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We want to know what happened, we want justice, he was my baby brother.

“Why aren’t Kowanyama people testifying? Where did my brother die? I need to know, we want straight answers, something is not right, it doesn’t feel right.”

The inquest has previously heard police received a call from Mr George’s partner at 12.42pm about a domestic violence incident, Mr George was arrested at the home at 1.12pm and he was put in a cell at 1.21pm.

When police checked on him at 2.35pm, he was unresponsive and Kowanyama Primary Health Service staff attended, but he could not be revived, the inquest has heard.

The inquest heard Mr George recorded a .203 BAC reading.

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Originally published as ‘We want straight answers’: Family’s frustration over Kowanyama Mr George inquest