TRANSCRIPT
Natalie Ahmat: The family of a Noongar man who died during a citizen's arrest has called for an investigation into their uncle's death. While the details surrounding the incident are still being investigated the man's family is demanding answers about what happened.
Craig Quartermaine: Mr Woods-Roberts died following a citizen's arrest carried out by the house owner on Altone Rd in the Perth Suburb of Lockridge.
Details are now being investigated but it has been reported widely in other media as a home invasion gone wrong.
Adelene Roberts, niece: So they've gone a head and broadcasted all this on the news channels that our uncle was committing a break and enter on this property, and we feel that our uncle hasn't been given a fair judicial process in the investigation.
We believe that they haven't been impartial to the situation at hand, yeah we're just disgusted.
Craig Quartermaine: Adelene Roberts is the niece of Mr Woods-Roberts. She and the family are seeking legal advice and have suspicions about the circumstances that lead to the citizen's arrest, but most importantly what happened after.
Adelene Roberts, niece: They have told us that due to an alleged break and enter at the residents there was a citizen's arrest made on our loved one - and in that citizen's arrest, something's gone wrong and as a result our uncle has passed away.
A coronial inquiry will take place but results can take anywhere between 6 months to 2 years . Even so, the family is prepared to continue to push for answers.
Adelene Roberts: We want to know what has happened to our loved one he's a very important member of our family we want to know what happened we want the investigation process done in accordance to the power given to them by the state did they act within their authority or did they go too far?
Enquires have been made with the WA Police Minister's office and WA Police about whether or not this qualifies as yet another Indigenous death in custody.
Adelene Roberts: Well we want to have this registered as a death in custody it needs to be investigated as such because we believe that this is exactly what it is and we need exposure to this and that this is and we need everyone to know indeed what has happened ad we want a proper investigation to be undertaken regarding this.
The family is now seeking legal advice and guidance from the Aboriginal Legal service.
NITV News has yet to receive a response from WA Police and the minister's office.
Craig Quartermaine NITV News
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