Cop heard tasered man was unarmed, inquest told

9 Oct 2012, 7:27 pm   -   Source: AAP/SBS

A Sydney police officer has told an inquest into the Taser death of a Brazilian student that he heard but did not register radio reports that the man was unarmed.

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A Sydney police officer has told an inquest into the Taser death of a Brazilian student that he heard but did not register radio reports that the man was unarmed.

Meanwhile, in response to media inquiries in regards to the public release of the Taser gun video footage, the family of Laudisio Curti issued this statement:

"We understand that the media may broadcast the video from a Taser gun at the scene. This vision is incredibly distressing to the family. But we believe it is very important that the public see Beto's final moments and see how he was treated by the police after being tasered, handcuffed and sprayed with capsicum. Only through honesty and transparency will we get to the truth of what happened, why and who is responsible".

Acting Sergeant Craig Partridge told Glebe Coroners Court on Tuesday he was working in the City Centre Local Area Command office on the morning Roberto Laudisio Curti died.

The 21-year-old, originally from Sao Paolo, collapsed and died on March 18 this year after four of the 11 police officers trying to capture him discharged their Tasers at him a total of 14 times.

The inquest has heard Mr Curti was suffering from an adverse reaction to a small amount of LSD he had taken the night before to celebrate St Patrick's Day.

He stole two packets of biscuits from a convenience store and some police officers mistakenly believed they were dealing with an armed robber, the court was told.

Acting Sgt Partridge told the court he heard a radio report about an armed robbery in a King St convenience store but did not hear a further three broadcasts correcting the information to an unarmed robbery.

Under questioning from Peter Hamill SC, representing Mr Curti's family, the officer said he eventually heard a message saying there were no weapons involved in the incident.

"I heard it then, yes," he said.

"I'm not sure I registered it." Shortly afterwards, Acting Sgt Partridge "repeated the use of the word armed robbery", Mr Hamill said.

"No doubt after a 12-hour shift you do get tired," the police officer said. "You know what (Mr Curti) did, don't you?" Mr Hamill said.

"He got a bit frightened and crazy and he took some biscuits."

The inquest continues before NSW State Coroner Mary Jerram.

Taser , Roberto Laudisio Curti

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