Updated
The family of a Central Australian man who died while in police custody yesterday has alleged he was beaten by police officers before his death.
Anmatyerre Aboriginal man Terrance Briscoe, 28, died in the Alice Springs watch-house on Thursday.
It was about 2:00am (local time) when police say they found Mr Briscoe unconscious in his cell.
Paramedics were unable to revive him.
He had been taken into protective custody on Wednesday night for being drunk.
His family says police told them he had fallen over and sustained a head injury before being locked away.
"What the police had told us originally was that Terrance had been in lock-up and he'd fallen over and sustained an injury to his head," said Patricia Morton-Thomas, Mr Briscoe's aunt.
"They went to check on him a while over and he wasn't breathing, so they tried emergency CPR but it wasn't successful."
But Mr Briscoe's family allege other people in the watch-house at the time witnessed him being assaulted by officers.
They allege five officers were involved.
"Then we went and spoke to the two young men who were locked up with him and they claimed that Terrance was beaten by five officers, four of whom were male and one female officer," Ms Morton-Thomas said.
"That's their version of it. So we're still confused. There's a lot of rumours flying around, from people saying that he had been Tasered."
No comment
Police officials say they will not comment because they have referred the case to the coroner.
It is not the first time Mr Briscoe had come into contact with police. His family says he had a history of alcoholism.
And Ms Morton-Thomas alleges he has been the victim of police brutality in the past.
"About four weeks ago Terrance came home," she said. "He had a huge gash on his forehead, he'd been beaten around.
"When we asked him what had happened, he said two police officers had beaten him, one of whom was an Aboriginal officer, which is just disgusting."
Police are not commenting on the allegations of brutality.
Investigation
Family members say they have written to Chief Minister Paul Henderson, asking him to launch an independent investigation.
Mr Henderson says there will be a full police investigation into the death.
"All of these claims will be very thoroughly investigated," he said.
"I have every confidence in our Police Commissioner to run a very thorough investigation."
The Northern Territory Police Association says police investigating the death must follow strict guidelines established by the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.
Association president Vince Kelly says it is not appropriate to hold a separate investigation.
"There's clear legislation around deaths in custody," he said.
"All investigations are over-sighted by the coroner.
"I think there's also a leap or an assumption made here that police have acted in some way inappropriately.
"My understanding at this point in the investigation there is no evidence to support that claim.
"I am confident the commissioner of police and the coroner, and our professional police, are more than capable of conducting an independent impartial investigation."
Mr Briscoe's family has a history of dealing with Aboriginal deaths in custody.
His late aunt Letty Scott fought a 20-year legal battle over the death in custody of her husband, Douglas Scott.
Ms Morton-Thomas says the death of her nephew shows the 20-year-old recommendations from the Royal Commission are still not put into practice.
"It's just a disgusting way for anybody to die, regardless of whether you're Aboriginal or not, it's unacceptable," she said.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-06/20120106-family-alleges-death-in-custody-man-was-bashed/3761654
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-06/20120106-family-alleges-death-in-custody-man-was-bashed/3761654
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