Kumanjayi Walker’s family say Zach Rolfe must ‘answer for his actions’ as inquest delayed again

Loved ones of the teen killed by former Territory cop Zach Rolfe say they feel ‘frustrated and angry’ as a legal challenge forces the coroner to scrap next week’s scheduled inquest dates.

Rolfe’s appearance at the Kumanjayi Walker inquest has been delayed for the fourth time, as the coroner considers his request to recuse herself from the proceedings. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Loved ones of Kumanjayi Walker have accused Zach Rolfe of showing “blatant disregard to our family” as legal action taken by the former Territory cop causes a fourth delay to his coronial evidence.

Northern Territory Coroner Elisabeth Armitage on Wednesday decided to scrap next week’s scheduled sitting dates for the Walker inquest, needing time to “carefully consider” a request to recuse herself due to apprehended bias.

A Supreme Court jury acquitted Mr Rolfe of any wrongdoing over his fatal shooting of 19-year-old Kumanjayi during a botched arrest in Yuendumu, however he was ordered to give evidence at the inquest when it resumed in Alice Springs on Monday.

But two weeks ago Mr Rolfe’s lawyers filed an application asking Ms Armitage to consider stepping aside, with allegations of bias focusing on a visit she made to Yuendumu to meet with the community.

Rolfe’s legal team accused coroner Elisabeth Armitage of apprehended bias, largely based on a visit she made to Yuendumu in November last year. Picture: Jason Walls

With hundreds of pages of submissions to consider, Ms Armitage said she would need time to make her decision.

“Her Honour has indicated that she will not be in a position to deliver her ruling before the inquest is due to resume on 23 October,” a court spokesman said.

“The further delay to these proceedings is extremely regrettable, but necessary to address the application made.”

Facing another delay to a process originally meant to run over just three months last year, Kumanjayi’s grandfather Steven Marshall asked “why is he (Rolfe) a special man?”.

“If this was Yapa (a Warlpiri Aboriginal person) we wouldn’t get the same chance. I feel angry. He has to answer for what he has done.”

Samara Fernandez said “Rolfe’s actions continue to show a blatant disregard to our family”. (AAP Image/Chloe Erlich)

“We have tried to be patient,” cousin Samara Fernandez said, “but we are frustrated and we are angry”.

“Rolfe’s actions continue to show a blatant disregard to our family and our healing process.

“Every delay ... is the undoing of months of planning, months of conversations, of building up the strength to be present, only to have to start over again.

“And for what? So he can delay giving evidence for something he did – Rolfe killed Kumanjayi, that is an undisputed fact.

“He has to answer for his actions. Our family deserves that much as a bare minimum.”

The Robertson family, who raised Kumanjayi from a young age, called for Rolfe to “face this coronial inquest”.

“We are the Warlpiri people, we don’t let things go,” they said.

“We want what is right for us and to fight for justice for Kumanjayi.

“(Rolfe) has hurt us, and he needs to answer what he has done.”

Originally published as Kumanjayi Walker’s family say Zach Rolfe must ‘answer for his actions’ as inquest delayed again