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| Police could face charges over Taser death of Brazilian student | Police could face charges over Taser death of Brazilian student |
| (4 months later) | |
| Police officers involved in the Taser death of a Brazilian student in Sydney will face prosecution after the Police Integrity Commission on Monday handed down a recommendation to the NSW director of public prosecutions that they examine the case for prosecution. | Police officers involved in the Taser death of a Brazilian student in Sydney will face prosecution after the Police Integrity Commission on Monday handed down a recommendation to the NSW director of public prosecutions that they examine the case for prosecution. |
| On 18 March last year, 20-year-old Roberto Curti had an adverse reaction to LSD and stole some biscuits from a convenience store. Police mistakenly believed Curti was armed and eleven officers pursued him through the CBD. Police tasered Curti fourteen times, used capsicum spray and a baton, kneeling on him and using handcuffs, according to the Ombudsman Bruce Barbour's report on the incident. | On 18 March last year, 20-year-old Roberto Curti had an adverse reaction to LSD and stole some biscuits from a convenience store. Police mistakenly believed Curti was armed and eleven officers pursued him through the CBD. Police tasered Curti fourteen times, used capsicum spray and a baton, kneeling on him and using handcuffs, according to the Ombudsman Bruce Barbour's report on the incident. |
| The PIC's statement said they were "recommending that consideration be given to the prosecution of a number of police officers involved in the pursuit and restraint of Roberto Laudisio Curti on March 18, 2012". | The PIC's statement said they were "recommending that consideration be given to the prosecution of a number of police officers involved in the pursuit and restraint of Roberto Laudisio Curti on March 18, 2012". |
| "The principal functions of the commission are to detect, investigate and prevent police misconduct." | "The principal functions of the commission are to detect, investigate and prevent police misconduct." |
| A coronial inquest in November of last year found the police to have used excessive force, and to have abused their powers, in some instances with "thuggish" actions, and recommended five of the 11 be considered for disciplinary charges. The PIC told AAP they could not disclose how many officers were involved in their recommendation for prosecution. | A coronial inquest in November of last year found the police to have used excessive force, and to have abused their powers, in some instances with "thuggish" actions, and recommended five of the 11 be considered for disciplinary charges. The PIC told AAP they could not disclose how many officers were involved in their recommendation for prosecution. |
| Magistrate Mary Jerram said at the inquest the police had cast aside their responsibilities, and made no attempt to consider Curti's mental state. | Magistrate Mary Jerram said at the inquest the police had cast aside their responsibilities, and made no attempt to consider Curti's mental state. |
| The most senior officer, Inspector Gregory Cooper, tried to shift the blame and gave contradictory and self-serving evidence, she said. | The most senior officer, Inspector Gregory Cooper, tried to shift the blame and gave contradictory and self-serving evidence, she said. |
| "Cooper's failure to maintain any objectivity, or sensible leadership, quite apart from the unreliability of his evidence, is abhorrent," said Jerram in her decision. | "Cooper's failure to maintain any objectivity, or sensible leadership, quite apart from the unreliability of his evidence, is abhorrent," said Jerram in her decision. |
| Curti's family, who say they will "never forget the awful images" of his death, have welcomed the PIC's decision. In a statement to AAP they said: "From the outset, we have wanted accountability for Beto's awful death. | Curti's family, who say they will "never forget the awful images" of his death, have welcomed the PIC's decision. In a statement to AAP they said: "From the outset, we have wanted accountability for Beto's awful death. |
| "We believe that the PIC's referral is a step in the right direction and trust that the DPP will give it proper consideration." | "We believe that the PIC's referral is a step in the right direction and trust that the DPP will give it proper consideration." |
| "It's over a year since his passing and these officers are still policing the streets of Sydney," the statement says. | "It's over a year since his passing and these officers are still policing the streets of Sydney," the statement says. |
| It says Curti will "forever be remembered as a warm and kind-hearted soul". | It says Curti will "forever be remembered as a warm and kind-hearted soul". |
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