A member of the small Yuendumu community who knew Kumanjayi Walker has taken to the witness stand in Darwin today.
Warlpiri man Ethan Robertson is the father of Kumanjayi Walker's girlfriend from the time of his death, and was in the community on the evening the teenager died after being shot three times by Zachary Rolfe.
Constable Rolfe, 30, has pleaded not guilty to the 2019 murder of Kumanjayi Walker, as well as the alternative charges of manslaughter and violent act causing death.
Mr Robertson was asked by prosecutor Sophie Callan SC to describe Kumanjayi Walker.
"He was like a good young fellow," replied Mr Robertson, who was assisted in part by a translator.
"[He didn't do] much talking."
Mr Robertson was present on the day of the so-called 'axe incident' three days prior to the shooting, which has played a significant part in the defence's characterisation of Kumanjayi Walker as being "prone to violence".
He described pleading with the 19-year-old not to be violent with the police.
"I just sing out and yelled out,” he said.
“Stop, stop, stop, police have guns... stop doing that."
According to Mr Robertson, Kumanjayi Walker had agreed to go with the Elder and surrender himself to police following the axe incident.
"I ask Kumanjayi if can come with me to the police station and give himself in," said Robertson.
"He nod his head and said, 'Yes'."
Mr Robertson also testified that he had tried phoning his daughter on the evening her boyfriend was shot, but was unable reach her.
“I was going to tell my daughter that they were looking for Kumanjayi,” he said.
IRT member questioned
A colleague of Zachary Rolfe who was on the same Immediate Response Team (IRT) deployed to Yuendumu from Alice Springs to arrest Kumanjayi Walker returned to the witness stand for a second day.
Constable James Kirstenfeldt was again questioned about his claims he could not recall seeing an email from Yuendumu commanding officer Sergeant Julie Frost detailing plans for the arrest of Kumanjayi Walker the night the 19-year-old was shot.
Constable James Kirstenfeldt arrives to the court. Source: Supplied: Guy McLean
Prosecutor Philip Strickland played a police interview to the court from the 21 November 2019 where Constable Kirstenfeldt admitted he had seen the email, but only "skimmed it".
Mr Strickland posed the apparent contradiction to Constable Kirstenfeldt in cross examination today.
"You said yesterday you hadn’t read any email," said Mr Strickland.
"You saw an email, and you read an email."
However the officer continued to insist he didn’t recall seeing an email, prompting Mr Strickland to question his motives.
"Your evidence that you don’t recall being given an email by Julie Frost, and you don’t recall what its contents were, are those answers given to try and help Mr Rolfe?"
Defence lawyer for the accused David Edwardson QC objected to the line of questioning but Justice John Burns allowed it.
Constable Kirstenfeldt responded by saying “No, it's because I don’t recall what was the exact content of that email."
"You couldn't remember it yesterday, but you now accept you did [see the email]?" questioned Mr Strickland.
"I accept that, but like I said, I don’t recall it."
Distressing body camera footage, recorded by Constable Kirstenfeldt, of the moment Zachary Rolfe shot and killed Kumanjayi Walker during the failed arrest attempt was played to the jury.
Constable Kirstenfeldt was patrolling near to where the shooting took place when three shots rang out, responding by running to the scene with his shot gun.
He administered first aid to Kumanjayi Walker amid distressed screams, cries and yelling from residents who had also run to the house upon hearing the gunshots.
