The family of Kumanjayi White, a young Aboriginal man who died in police custody in Alice Springs, has launched legal action following a decision not to prosecute the officers involved. Mr White, aged 24, died on 27 May 2025 after being restrained by two plain-clothes police officers in the confectionery aisle of a Coles supermarket in the Northern Territory city. The incident sparked national outrage and calls for an independent investigation into his death.
On the eve of the first anniversary of Mr White's death, his family was informed that no charges would be laid against the officers. This decision, made by the Northern Territory Director of Public Prosecutions, stated there were 'no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution'. The family confirmed on Monday that they have now commenced legal proceedings in the NT Supreme Court, seeking answers regarding this outcome.
According to the family's lawyer, George Newhouse, they are entitled to know the reasons behind the decision under the Northern Territory Victims of Crime Charter and to request a reconsideration of the case. However, Mr Newhouse, who is also the chief executive of the National Justice Project, stated that this has not been possible as the family has never been given specific reasons or informed about who made the final decision. He highlighted a lack of transparency from authorities since Mr White's death.
Mr White's grandfather, Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, has been a leading voice for the family, demanding an independent inquiry, the release of CCTV footage, and the standing down of the officers involved. These requests have previously been rejected by NT police. Mr Hargraves expressed profound distrust in the process, stating the family has been denied fundamental information about his grandson's death and the decision-making process.
The legal action seeks orders from the Supreme Court to identify the individual or body responsible for the decision not to lay charges. Once this information is obtained, the family will consider whether to challenge the non-prosecution decision. Mr Newhouse emphasised that the 'lack of transparency, the lack of a proper basis for the decision, the lack of a 'sorry', and the anonymity of the decision maker all give rise to serious concerns'. An inquest into Mr White's death is currently scheduled to take place in Alice Springs in April 2027.