Inquest into demise in custody of Steven Nixon-McKellar begins in Toowoomba

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A big rally exterior Toowoomba Courtroom Home marked the start of the coronial inquest into the demise in custody of Indigenous man Steven Nixon-McKellar.

The identify and picture of Mr Nixon-McKellar have been revealed with permission from his household.


Household and pals wore shirts adorned with photographs of the 27-year-old and messages calling for justice.

The coronial inquest will study the demise of Mr Nixon-McKellar in October 2021 following an altercation with police, throughout which a lateral vascular neck restraint (LVNR) was utilized to him.


The Queensland Police Service banned the usage of LVNRs throughout bizarre policing duties in April and the manoeuvre can solely be used if an officer is prone to demise or grievous bodily hurt.

Steven Nixon-McKellar household marched via Toowoomba forward of right now’s listening to.(ABC Southern Qld: Laura Cocks)

Steven Nixon-McKellar’s mom Raelene Nixon needs the LNVR utterly banned.

“We might be preventing for a whole ban of the usage of that chokehold in Queensland,” she stated.

Steven Nixon-McKellar’s demise grew to become related to the Black Lives Matter motion.(ABC Southern Qld: Laura Cocks)

‘He is asleep, let him go’

State Coroner Terry Ryan heard right now that officers have been responding to an nameless report of automotive which will have been bearing false plates after they got here throughout Mr Nixon-McKellar.

Police physique digital camera footage was proven of officers Constable Brandon Sensible and Senior Constable Simon Giuliano engaged in a 5 to 10-minute wrestle with Mr Nixon-McKellar and radioing for backup.

When different officers arrived Senior Constable Simon Giuliano known as out for one among his colleagues to “choke the c*** out”.

His colleague Senior Constable Tylarr Colman entered the fray and utilized an LVNR.

Senior Constable Simon Giuliano advised the inquest he noticed Mr Nixon-McKellar lose consciousness.

“I noticed Tylarr’s arm round Mr Nixon-McKellar’s neck and I stated phrases to the impact of ‘He is asleep, let him go,'” Senior Constable Giuliano stated.

A Queensland police officer watches over the rally for Steven Nixon-McKellar.(ABC Southern Qld: David Chen)

‘As a result of he requested you’

Mr Nixon-McKellar’s household’s consultant, Stewart Levitt, questioned the techniques the officers used and advised that that they had acted with out realizing that Mr Nixon-McKellar had dedicated any crime.

Aunty Lynette Nixon lays flowers on the grave of Steven Nixon-Mckellar.(Provided: Saraeva Mitchell)

“In different phrases, this complete incident the place you and Constable Sensible are attempting to subjugate this man is simply so yow will discover out what is going on on with him?” Mr Levitt requested.

“I fairly suspected the car was stolen and I needed to take him into custody in relation to that offence,” Senior Constable Giuliano replied.

Senior Constable Colman was additionally questioned on the inquest right now about his software of the LVNR method and his private coaching in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Mr Levitt advised to Senior Constable Colman that he had different use of drive choices obtainable to him, significantly given his martial arts background.

“You have been serving to out a mate … Constable Guiliano … as a result of he requested you to do it,” Mr Levitt advised.

Candles have been laid exterior the court docket constructing in reminiscence of Indigenous individuals who have died in police custody.(ABC Southern Qld: Laura Cocks)

Senior Constable Colman disputed that declare and advised the inquest that he was unable to make use of a taser or capsicum spray due to the shut proximity of his fellow officers.

“He was nonetheless actively preventing police after I attended the scene,” he stated.

“I made that evaluation.”

The inquest is predicted to run till Friday.


Disclaimer: This put up has not been edited by PuzzlesHuB staff and is auto-generated from syndicated feed.

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