Nemesis
03-25-2004, 06:50 PM
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,9077870%255E26462,00.html
By Karen Michelmore
March 26, 2004
POLICE will investigate whether charges should be laid over the "payback" tribal spearing of a Territory man.
Warlpiri man Jeremy Anthony, 24, was allegedly speared in both legs last week at Lajamanu, 450km southwest of Katherine, in payback over the death of his wife.
He was later charged with breaching the condition of his bail that he not visit Lajamanu where the payback was to be meted out, and his bail was revoked.
The case has renewed calls for a review of the Territory legal system to allow for greater recognition of Aboriginal law in the wider justice system.
Deputy Police Commissioner Bruce Wernham said yesterday police would investigate the incident to see if Anthony's injuries amounted to grievous harm.
"The NT Criminal Code ... prohibits a person from giving another individual authority to kill them or inflict grievous bodily harm upon them," Mr Wernham said.
Anthony's lawyer Peter O'Brien called for changes to NT law so elders who administered tribal punishment would be exempt from prosecution.
"Why should law and order elders who have been dealing with this sort of punishment for thousands of years be prosecuted for obeying their own law," Mr O'Brien, of the Katherine Regional Aboriginal Legal Service, said.
"There should be an exemption from prosecution for people who administer the Aboriginal law according to custom and practice."
He added that Anthony was relieved at having been subjected to tribal punishment, as it meant peace could now be restored in his home community.
Northern Territory News
By Karen Michelmore
March 26, 2004
POLICE will investigate whether charges should be laid over the "payback" tribal spearing of a Territory man.
Warlpiri man Jeremy Anthony, 24, was allegedly speared in both legs last week at Lajamanu, 450km southwest of Katherine, in payback over the death of his wife.
He was later charged with breaching the condition of his bail that he not visit Lajamanu where the payback was to be meted out, and his bail was revoked.
The case has renewed calls for a review of the Territory legal system to allow for greater recognition of Aboriginal law in the wider justice system.
Deputy Police Commissioner Bruce Wernham said yesterday police would investigate the incident to see if Anthony's injuries amounted to grievous harm.
"The NT Criminal Code ... prohibits a person from giving another individual authority to kill them or inflict grievous bodily harm upon them," Mr Wernham said.
Anthony's lawyer Peter O'Brien called for changes to NT law so elders who administered tribal punishment would be exempt from prosecution.
"Why should law and order elders who have been dealing with this sort of punishment for thousands of years be prosecuted for obeying their own law," Mr O'Brien, of the Katherine Regional Aboriginal Legal Service, said.
"There should be an exemption from prosecution for people who administer the Aboriginal law according to custom and practice."
He added that Anthony was relieved at having been subjected to tribal punishment, as it meant peace could now be restored in his home community.
Northern Territory News