NT police officer denies Kumanjayi Walker text was ‘angry racist message’ to ‘protect boy in blue’

Inquest into death of Aboriginal man hears text describing Walker as shit cunt' was forwarded to Zachary Rolfe

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A Northern Territory sergeant who described the Aboriginal victim of a police shooting as a shit cunt" in a text message in which he also told a colleague how to answer his critics" in relation to the shooting has denied it was an angry racist message designed to protect a boy in blue".

Sergeant Ian Nankivell gave evidence on Thursday at an inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, who was shot dead by Constable Zachary Rolfe at the remote community of Yuendumu in 2019. Rolfe was cleared of criminal charges including murder in relation to the shooting.