A tragic incident, but not a fatal police error. That's the verdict from the Queensland coroner's office regarding the death of Steven Nixon-McKellar, an Indigenous man who passed away in police custody in 2021. The case has sparked intense debate, especially given the controversial police tactic employed during his arrest.
The inquest, held in Toowoomba in September 2023, delved into the events leading up to Nixon-McKellar's death. Police officers, responding to a tip about a car with potential false plates, encountered Nixon-McKellar on Stone Street. A struggle ensued, lasting between five and ten minutes, with officers calling for backup. The situation escalated when Senior Constable Giuliano was recorded on body camera footage urging his colleagues to 'choke this guy out'.
The controversial moment came when Senior Constable Colman applied a lateral vascular neck restraint (LVNR) to Nixon-McKellar. Despite the tension, the coroner's findings, released today, determined that this tactic was not the direct cause of Nixon-McKellar's death, even though it was the final use of force during the arrest. Instead, the coroner, Terry Ryan, attributed the death to a combination of factors, including the struggle, brief neck pressure, drug intoxication, asthma, bronchopneumonia, and coronary atherosclerosis.
But here's where it gets controversial: The coroner's report suggests that the LVNR may have played a role, but its contribution is hard to quantify. This has left some questioning the police's use of force and whether it was proportionate. And this is the part most people miss: The coroner's findings also highlight the complexity of determining cause of death in such cases, especially when multiple factors are at play.
The inquest heard from pathologists who shed light on Nixon-McKellar's physiological state at the time of his death. Mr. Ryan concluded that the death was 'multi-factorial' and likely resulted from a combination of physical and psychological stressors during the restraint, along with underlying health issues.
Family and friends of Nixon-McKellar sought answers during the four-day inquest, wearing shirts bearing his image and rallying for justice. However, the coroner's findings did not recommend disciplinary action against the officers involved, stating that while the force used may have contributed to his death, it was not a substantial or significant cause.
So, was justice served? The coroner's verdict raises important questions about police tactics and the impact of restraint methods. It also highlights the challenges of attributing cause in complex cases. What do you think? Is the coroner's decision a fair assessment, or does it overlook critical aspects of the case? Share your thoughts and let's engage in a respectful dialogue.
