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August 16, 2022
Court upholds self defence in Wallace shooting
Adam Gifford
Posted On August 16, 2022
Raewyn Wallace has had a setback in her quest to hold police accountable for the death of her son Steven Wallace in Waitara in April 2000.
The Court of Appeal has upheld last year’s High Court finding that senior constable Keith Abbott acted in self-defence when he shot Mr Wallace, who had attacked the police station and a police car with a golf club.
It reversed the court’s findings the police investigation of the killing was not sufficiently independent and that the Solicitor-General should have given reasons for the decision not to prosecute Constable Abbott.
It also cancelled an order for costs.
Ms Wallace had made the novel claim that her son had the right under the Bill of Rights Act not to be deprived of his life.
The judges found the use of lethal force was justified because Constable Abbott was acting in self-defence.
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