Wallace shooting inquest begins

Police actions the night they shot Steven Wallace dead in Waitara five years ago were attacked by his family's lawyer on the first day of the inquest into Wallace's death.

The 23-year-old was hit by police bullets at 4.05am on April 30, 2000, after he rampaged through the business district of the Taranaki town, smashing the windows of offices, shops and cars.

Wallace died in Taranaki Base Hospital several hours later.

Lawyer Ron Mansfield claimed in the New Plymouth Coroner's Court yesterday that officers involved in the shooting had ignored police procedures and instructions.

He said they had also failed to provide any first-aid care when Mr Wallace lay dying on the main street.

Mr Mansfield declared the lack of first aid made it clear that no one was concerned for Mr Wallace's welfare.

Hamilton-based coroner George Matenga has set aside a week for the hearing, limited to two police policy issues - procedure applying to general staff dealing with violent offenders and first-aid care.

The inquest was adjourned in 2001 when the Wallace family brought a private murder prosecution against Senior Constable Keith Abbott. He was acquitted by a jury.

Mr Mansfield opened by emphasising that the Wallace family still believed the fatal shooting had been entirely avoidable.

His criticism centred on a lack of planning by Mr Abbott, the officer who fired the fatal shots, Constable Jason Dombroski, who also armed himself as Mr Wallace rampaged through Waitara, and Sergeant Fiona Prestidge, who was the supervising officer at the time.

He said there was "little control by the sergeant in charge" and no formal procedures were followed once the officers decided to arm themselves.

Mr Mansfield claimed the officers made serious misjudgments by not waiting for a dog handler or armed offenders squad back-up.

He called the lead-up to the shooting an incident that was "routine" for police.

"There was no plan, no options considered. Rather than cordon and contain, or pull away to a safe distance to consider options, they go right up to him," he said.

Mr Mansfield's first witness, former police superintendent Bryan Rowe, said there was no excuse for the officers involved not being able to control Mr Wallace with the use of police batons and pepper spray.

Mr Rowe said it was clear Mr Abbott made no attempt to help Mr Wallace after he was shot.

Susan Hughes, the lawyer acting on behalf of the Police Association, objected several times to Mr Rowe's evidence, which she claimed was not in line with what the inquest was supposed to be focusing on.

Ms Hughes, who represented Mr Abbott when he was prosecuted for murder, told the court Mr Rowe's only knowledge of the P24 police baton and pepper spray was from a training video - he had not used either during his police career.

The hearing continues today.

- NZPA