22 year old woman dies in custody
10/09/2014 , 3:04 PM by Clugston Anne
Last month,22 year old indigenious woman Julieka Dhu was locked up in South Hedland police station for unpaid fines. She had a suspected leg infection - was suffering pain, fever and paralysis. She was deemed medically fit to be kept in custody after 2 visits to the nearby hospital.
Julieka Dhu died in custody. A month on, a number of questions remain unanswered including whether she died at the police station or at the hospital.
Her uncle on behalf of the family has been asking - how did health authorities miss such an obvious health problem? - how was it OK that she was declared fit to be in police custody? - why should she even be in jail for those unpaid fines?
Now a coronial inquest and internal police investigation will be held into her death. The government will not answer questions on this case because there is a police investigation underway.
Greens MP Robin Chapple is calling for an independent judicial review.
