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MEDIA RELEASE
NICK XENOPHON M.L.C. INDEPENDENT NO POKIES
MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
29th July, 2004
CALL
ON A-G TO ORDER CORONER’S INQUEST INTO KILLING BY MENTAL HEALTH PATIENT WITH
‘AGGRESSIVE REACTIONS’ 6 DAYS AFTER HIS DISCHARGE FROM HOSPITAL
TWIN
BROTHER WON’T REST UNTIL HE GETS ANSWERS OVER BROTHER’S DEATH
The
Attorney General Michael Atkinson will be asked to exercise his powers under The
Coroner’s Act to order an inquest into the death of Michael Eldridge –
killed on The
request has been made by David Eldridge, Michael’s twin brother on behalf of
the family following the conclusion 2 days ago of the court case involving the
defendant, Barry John Simper. The
defendant was found to be mentally incompetent and an Order made for life
detention in psychiatric care (the defendant can apply for an early release if
there has been a change in his mental condition). In
a letter to the Attorney General sent by No Pokies MLC Mr Xenophon said: “The family’s incalculable grief of the death of Michael
has been compounded by the unanswered questions leading to the circumstances of
his death. A Coronial Inquest would
be an important step to give the family the answers that they deserve.” “Under
Section 21 of the Coroner’s Act the Attorney General has the power to direct
that a Coronial Inquest to take place into a particular death.
Given that this case goes to the heart of the state of the mental health
system and the risk it can pose to public safety the Attorney General must act,
not just for the sake of Michael’s family but for the broader public
interest.”
Written
and authorised by Nick Xenophon, 653 Lower North East Road, Paradise, SA 5075
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