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Police taser usage 'reckless' in Curti case: Coroner

A coroner has recommended several police officers face disciplinary action over the tasering of Brazilian student Roberto Laudisio Curti, who died in Sydney in March.

Findings to be heard on tasered Brazilian
A coroner is set to deliver her findings into the death of a Brazilian student Roberto Curti.

A coroner has recommended several police officers face disciplinary action over the tasering of Brazilian student Roberto Laudisio Curti, who died in Sydney in March.

Delivering her findings into the death of Roberto Laudisio Curti at Glebe Coroner's Court this morning, State Coroner Mary Jerram found the 21-year-old's death to be inconclusive, but condemned the actions of police.

READ the NSW State Coroner's Report here

Before his death Curti struggled with 11 officers who fired their tasers up to 14 times and used capsicum spray, handcuffs and a baton.

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During an October inquest into the tasering incident, counsel assisting the coroner, Jeremy Gormly SC said Mr Curti suffered significantly in the last moments of his life and police had acted in a "thuggish" manner".

He said the taser use was unnecessary and unjustified once Mr Curti was in handcuffs.

The police involved told the inquest they were trying to restrain him because he kept resisting arrest.

The hearing was told Mr Curti was unarmed but had used a small amount of LSD and had stolen a packet of biscuits from a shop.

Relatives of Mr Curti attended the inquest.

NSW Attorney-General Greg Smith on Wednesday welcomed the coroner's decision to allow a TV news camera to film the conclusion of the inquest.

"The NSW Coroners Court is unlike any jurisdiction in Brazil and I am sure the transparency of the inquest has made it easier for the many millions of people in Mr Curti's home country to follow the proceedings via the media," he said in a statement.


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Source: AAP, SBS


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