Family sues over police decision not to charge officers in 24-year-old's death during restraint
Consensus Summary
The family of Kumanjayi White, a 24-year-old Warlpiri man who died after being restrained by police in an Alice Springs supermarket in May 2025, has launched legal action in the Northern Territory Supreme Court. They seek answers about the decision not to prosecute the officers involved, which was communicated to them on the first anniversary of his death. Both sources agree the family was informed no charges would be laid due to a lack of reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution, as stated by the NT Director of Public Prosecutions in May. The family, led by grandfather Ned Hargraves, argues for transparency and accountability, questioning who made the decision and why. A coronial inquest is scheduled, with the ABC stating it will occur in April and the Guardian specifying April 2027. The family’s lawyer, George Newhouse, emphasizes their right to know the reasons behind the decision under the Northern Territory Victims of Crime Charter, while also criticizing the lack of transparency from authorities.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Kumanjayi White, a 24-year-old Warlpiri man, died after being forcibly restrained by two police officers in an Alice Springs supermarket in May 2025
- The family was informed on the first anniversary of his death that no charges would be laid against the officers involved
- Legal action was launched in the Northern Territory Supreme Court seeking answers about who made the decision not to prosecute
- A four-week coronial inquest into Kumanjayi White's death will be held in Alice Springs in April
- The family's lawyer, George Newhouse, stated the family was entitled to know the reasons behind the decision not to prosecute under the Northern Territory Victims of Crime Charter
- The NT Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) stated in May that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The family joined vigils after Kumanjayi White died at an Alice Springs supermarket last year
- The DPP referred the family's lawyers to the NT Police for the basis of the decision not to prosecute
- NT Police Commissioner Martin Dole stated in May that the medical cause of Mr White's death remained 'equivocal' and would be examined by the coroner
- The Queensland police review found the officers' use of force was appropriate
- The coronial inquest was delayed until the criminal investigation was finalised and to accommodate the family's request for all evidence to be heard in one block
- Kumanjayi White died on 27 May, 2025, after being restrained in the confectionery aisle of a Coles supermarket
- Police allege he was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard before being held down, an allegation his family denies
- The inquest into White’s death is scheduled to be held in April 2027
- The family is seeking orders from the Supreme Court to identify who made the decision that no charges would be laid
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states the coronial inquest will be held in April, while the Guardian specifies April 2027
- The ABC mentions a 'four-week coronial inquest,' but the Guardian does not specify the duration
Source Articles
Family of man who died after being restrained by police sues for answers
The family of Kumanjayi White has launched legal action seeking answers over who made the decision not to pursue charges against the police officers involved in the 24-year-old's death.
Family of Indigenous man who died in custody launch legal action over decision not to charge police
Kumanjayi White died after being restrained by plain-clothes police in the lolly aisle of an Alice Springs supermarket •Warning: This article contains references to Indigenous Australians who have died Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The family of a young Aboriginal man who died after being restrained by police in an Alice Springs supermarket has launched legal action after the officers involved were not prosecut