Zach Rolfe’s lawyers to launch bid to have charge of murdering Kumanjayi Walker thrown out of court

LAWYERS for a police officer accused of murdering a teenager in Yuendumu last year will launch a bid to have the case thrown out of court after his barrister requested an adjournment to make a ‘no case’ submission

Constable Zach Rolfe is facing a committal hearing in the Alice Springs Local Court

• Rolfe ‘justified’ in first shot but second volley ‘excessive’, court told
• Teen continued to fight police after being shot, Zach Rolfe committal hearing told
• Police ‘in a world of hurt’ after fatal shooting of Kumanjayi Walker in Yuendumu last year
• Cops kept looking for slain teen despite morning arrest plan, court hears

LAWYERS for a police officer accused of murdering a teenager in Yuendumu last year will launch a bid to have the case thrown out of court after his barrister requested an adjournment to make a “no case” submission.

Zach Rolfe has been charged with murder over the shooting death of 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in November and faced a three day committal hearing in the Alice Springs Local Court this week.

At the close of the evidence on Thursday, Rolfe’s barrister David Edwardson QC, requested judge John Birch adjourn the case until September 25 when he will argue his client has no case to answer and the charge should be dismissed.

In granting the adjournment, judge John Birch asked Mr Edwardson if he would be making submissions on a potential immunity from prosecution Rolfe might have under the Police Administration Act.

Mr Edwardson said while he was yet to make a final decision, the issue would not be “front and centre” of his arguments.

“My tentative view was that that might be a matter for the trial judge,” he said.

Mr Birch agreed, saying “it is something that’s in the mix but I’m not sure it’s in my mix”.

OFFER EXTENDED: Subscribe to the NT News for just $1

A representative of Mr Walker’s family declined to comment yesterday and Rolfe’s bail was extended until his next appearance when he will again face court via video link from Canberra.

He spoke only to say “thank you, your honour” as the feed was cut shortly after 2pm.