The 17-year-old's death sparked a riot in the inner-Sydney suburb of Redfern in February.
State coroner John Abernethy has dismissed claims that police were chasing or pursuing TJ Hickey when he crashed his bike and became impaled on a fence.
Those claims led to the riot in Redfern.
The coroner has found the 17-year-old died during a police operation and was being followed by one paddy wagon shortly before he crashed.
What do you call that? Running away from the crime scene?
But he said there was no evidence to find police caused TJ Hickey's death, nor that the teenager was aware that police were behind him.
He was terrified so much so that he impaled himself on a fence and a paddy wagon was following him and another was seen going around the opposite direction.
Common sense would clearly tell any reasonable person that he thought he was being chased.
He even went through a gate separating one wagon from the pathway 'typical tactical move by Thomas to avoid the pursuit'.
One policeman chose not to give evidence to the inquest, while another officer was described by the coroner as a "poor witness".
Here we go again!
How can you dismiss the claim when the copper involved refuses to give evidence on oath and his witness is described as poor? Better description 'vague', 'forgetful' and 'untruthful'.
The Hickey family in Glebe Coroners Court was visibly upset at the finding.
Outside the court, TJ Hickey's great-aunt, Gail Cargill, said the family was extremely disappointed with the coroner's finding.
"TJ was a good kid, he was always kind to his sisters, he was only 17 and we all love him and we miss him very much," she said.
"We're so disappointed with what's happened today."
New South Wales Police Commissioner Ken Moroney has backed his officers, saying no disciplinary action will be taken against them.
"I supported each and everyone of my officers on the morning after the incident involving Thomas Hickey," he said.
"I supported each and everyone of my officers after the riot and my support remains for those police officers."
By Starsky and Hutch 17 August 04
THE DOG: Bullshit Moroney you're as bad as those rotten racist police and just as they won't learn you won't learn or change. This is the most outrages whitewash by those in authority in this State, besides the Bulldogs rape case, where those alleged offenders were not even named.
Government, authorities and police in this state are able to print their own legal dollar. Right in front of your face you read an ambiguous statement by the coroner who failed to find any evidence yet it appears on the page of this article and that of the ABC Online. What happened to what you "see" is what you "get"?
Related:
Redfern police need education not weapons
NSW police want new offensive equipment including long-range capsicum spray guns and modified armoured vehicles capable of spraying tear gas following a damning report on the Redfern riots in Sydney earlier this year.
Carr defends Redfern riot fallout
But such is the fact that police can do no wrong according to authorities that one wonders what benefit to the community this report would be other than to protect the police again.
The ALP's fascist police states
Welcome back Sid-in-knee. Old Falangist Samaranch would surely feel right at home in any number of fascist police states around this wide brown land today. Who needs Franco when you have Beattie, Rann, Carr, Bracks and co. Flamin' fascist fucks the lot of them.
Carr Govt dramatic increases in the NSW prisoner pop...
Following the opening of the 500 bed Kempsey prison, and a new 200-bed prison for women at Windsor the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) and community organisations specialising in the rehabilitation of prisoners, have expressed concern....
The Young Man From Kamilaroi
On Monday, 5 July 2004, the Hickey Family and their supporters will come together in the Glebe Coroners Court with the Redfern Police, the same police, specifically unknown at this time, who pursued the Young Man to his death by impalement.
"If I Could Turn Back Time" Daily Terror, CH/7
THE real cause of last month's violent Redfern riots was the death of teenager Thomas "TJ" Hickey but perhaps only one element of the racism, harassment and bullying by the New South Wales police force and in this case Redfern police at the Block.
Police stalkers set to escape
The real issue was posted it read "Wanted child murderers"!
Payback over Redfern riot after death in custody
A 37 year-old woman will appear in court today charged over her alleged involvement in a riot in Redfern on Sunday night.
Riot in Redfern over death in custody
The reported claim that 50 police were injured during rioting in Redfern over a death in custody is nothing more than a counter claim required to balance the argument that Thomas Hickey wasn't chased to his death by police.
Was Thomas Hickey payback?
Yesterday it was alleged police faced a potentially deadly confrontation with locals of a redfern housing block last week when a gun was grabbed from an officer's holster and held to his stomach.
Redfern police 'need to be made accountable'
POLICE have no right to demand increased support to patrol Redfern in the wake of one of the worst death in custody cover-ups by police in Australian history.
TJ HICKEY MEMORIAL MARCH AND VIGIL
Gather at the Block at 9am March to Phillip Street Redfern, "Turanga Block" vigial at site of "TJ's" death. March to Redfern Police Station to leave list of demands regarding the enquiries into his death.
