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LEX WOTTON TRIAL: A Timeline of the Palm Island case
Thursday, 16 October 2008
8:35:51 AM
NATIONAL, October 25, 2008: Timeline in the Palm Island riots case.
* November 19, 2004: Mulrunji Doomadgee, 36, dies in custody at Palm Island police station after being arrested for being drunk and causing a nuisance.
* November 26, 2004: Palm Islanders riot. Police officers seek refuge at the island's hospital and are airlifted to safety. Rioters burn down the police station, courthouse and the home of officer-in-charge Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley.
* December 3, 2004: Private investigator hired to carry out an independent investigation into Mr Doomadgee's death.
* February 28, 2005: Coronial inquiry into Mr Doomadgee's death begins.
* March 4, 2005: State Coroner Michael Barnes stands down from the inquiry after claims of bias.
* March 30, 2005: Second inquiry begins.
* September 2006: Deputy Coroner Christine Clements finds Snr Sgt Hurley responsible for Mr Doomadgee's fatal injuries.
* December 14, 2006: Director of Public Prosecutions Leanne Clare determines Snr Sgt Hurley has no case to answer and the death was a tragic accident.
* January 4, 2007: Former NSW chief justice Sir Laurence Street starts review of DPP's decision.
* January 16, 2007: Witness Patrick Bramwell hangs himself on Palm Island.
* January 26, 2007: Sir Laurence advises there is enough evidence to prosecute Snr Sgt Hurley, who is officially suspended.
* February 5, 2007: Snr Sgt Hurley faces Supreme Court charged with manslaughter and assault.
* February 6, 2007: Queensland police halt plans to march on state parliament over Snr Sgt Hurley being charged after Premier Peter Beattie accedes to demands for closed circuit cameras in watchhouses in Aboriginal communities.
* March 5: Lex Wotton pleads guilty to charge of rioting on the eve of his trial alongside four other men. He is placed in police custody to be sentenced at a later date.
* March 22, 2007: William Neville Blackman, John Major Clumpoint, Dwayne Daniel Blanket and Lance Gabriel Poynter are found not guilty of rioting with destruction by a Brisbane Supreme Court jury.
* May 8, 2007: Terrence Alfred Kidner sentenced to 16 months in jail in Townsville District Court after pleading guilty to rioting on Palm Island.
* May 25, 2005: Mr Wotton wins application to have plea withdrawn.
* May 31, 2007: Mr Wotton released on bail with strict conditions, formally enters a plea of not guilty to rioting with destruction on Palm Island.
* June 5, 2007: State budget announces boost to police numbers in Indigenous communities, more CCTV cameras for watchhouses.
* June 12, 2007: Snr Sgt Hurley case begins in Townsville Supreme Court. Large group of Palm Islanders turns up to watch.
* June 15, 2007: Snr Sgt Hurley breaks silence, testifying in his own defence. Says he has come to terms with the fact he caused the death, but strongly denies any intention to cause harm.
* June 20, 2007: Jury acquits Snr Sgt Hurley on manslaughter and assault charges.
* Nov 2, 2007: Mr Doomadgee's widow Tracey Twaddle and his five sisters launch a $900,000 civil lawsuit against Sen Sgt Hurley and Queensland Police.
* May 28, 2008: It is revealed the police service paid Sen Sgt Hurley more than $100,000 in compensation for items he lost when his residence was destroyed during the riot.
* Oct 9, 2008: Sen Sgt Hurley launches an appeal in Townsville District Court to have the Deputy Coroner's findings overturned.
Oct 6, 2008: Mr Wotton faces trial in Brisbane District Court.
* Oct 23, 2008: Mr Wotton collapses outside court as he waits for jury verdict.
* Oct 24, 2008: Wotton found guilty of rioting.
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