Inquest into the death of John Ross Jabanardi

20y · Male·Retro-peritoneal and intra-peritoneal haemorrhage due to perforation of the left internal iliac artery due to a gunshot wound to the abdomen

A 20-year-old Aboriginal man died from retroperitoneal and intra-peritoneal haemorrhage caused by perforation of the left internal iliac artery from a gunshot wound to the abdomen, inflicted by Constable Lawrence John Clifford during a police incident on 20 July 1980 at Ti Tree, NT. The constable was charged with murder but acquitted. The coroner extensively criticised the police investigation and forensic examination, identifying numerous deficiencies: failure to follow up assault allegations when first reported, lack of separation of police witnesses before taking statements, discrepancies in accounts of warning shots that were never adequately resolved, inadequate forensic examination (clothing not examined, critical samples not collected), poor coordination between investigating and forensic teams, and questionable police apprehension tactics. The coroner found the investigation fell below required standards despite difficulties inherent in the incident.