Pre-trial hearing over fatal outback arrest of Kumanjayi Walker

Northern Territory policeman Zachary Rolfe has attended court for the first time ahead of his ­murder trial scheduled to begin next week.

Constable Zachary Rolfe, centre, attends the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory on Monday. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Northern Territory policeman Zachary Rolfe has attended court for the first time ahead of his ­murder trial scheduled to begin next week.

Constable Rolfe is accused of killing 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker, an Aboriginal man, during a botched attempted arrest in November 2019 in the outback community of Yuendumu.

Constable Rolfe was charged within days of the incident and given bail in an after-hours hearing, the details of which have not been released.

The son of a prominent Canberra family, he has been living inter­state but returned to the Territory recently ahead of his trial.

Constable Rolfe arrived at the Supreme Court of the NT accompanied by NT Police Association president Paul McCue.

His legal team, headed by ­Adelaide silk David Edwardson QC, arrived separately.

None of either group spoke outside the court.

Acting judge Dean Mildren is due to hear pre-trial arguments behind closed doors this week before a jury is empanelled and the trial proper gets under way from July 26.

However, prosecution lawyers, who will this week attend by videolink from Sydney, have flagged the possibility that Covid-19 restrictions may prevent them from attending the court in person, meaning the trial could be delayed while they quarantine.

Police have established a mobile command centre outside the court in anticipation of heightened public interest.

A large group of Walker’s family and friends is believed to be travelling to Darwin and may join protesters expected to congregate on nearby lawns.

As proceedings got under way on Monday, there were more police than onlookers outside the court and no signs of public ­unrest. Travel restrictions are expected to limit the movement of those from outside the Territory who might otherwise have ­attended.