The police officer who arrested an Aboriginal man who later died in custody has said sorry to the man's family while giving evidence at an inquest into his death.
Palm Island man Mulrunji Doomadgee died on the floor of the island's watchhouse an hour after being arrested for public nuisance on November 19, 2004.
Giving evidence to the re-opened inquest into the death-in-custody case in Townsville on Friday, Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley said he was sorry for the angst suffered by the man's family.
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Mr Doomadgee's de facto, Tracey Twaddle, and other family members were sat in the public gallery.
"I've always wanted to say to Tracey and the family that I offer my sincere sympathy for Mulrunji's death and I am sorry for that angst that they have had to suffer over the last number of years," he told the court.
'No regrets' for actions
However, under questioning from the family's barrister Andrew Boe, Sen Sgt Hurley said he did not regret his action on the day.
"It happened sir," he said. "You can't regret what you've done.
"I have arrested people for the same type of offence.
"I have arrested people since for the same type of offence."
Senior Sregeant Hurley was acquitted of Mr Doomadgee's manslaughter in June 2007, despite admitting he "must have" caused the fatal injuries.
Medical evidence provided to the court indicated Mr Doomadgee had suffered severe internal injuries including a burst portal vein and a liver, which had been almost cleaved in two.
The court heard the injuries could have been caused either in a complicated fall with the 115kg police officer landing on top of Mr Doomadgee, or by him deliberately "dropping his knee" into the man.
The inquest continues.
