A Northern Territory policeman’s murder trial over the death of an Indigenous teenager has been rescheduled for February 2022.

November 5, 2021

The postponed trial of a Northern Territory policeman accused of murdering an Aboriginal teenager during an outback arrest has been given a new court date.

It’s now set to go ahead on February 7 after the High Court on Wednesday hands down its judgment on Constable Zachary Rolfe’s proposed defence.

The 30-year-old has pleaded not guilty to murdering Kumanjayi Walker, 19, in the remote community of Yuendumu in November 2019.

His Supreme Court trial in Darwin has been postponed three times.

It was delayed twice by the COVID-19 pandemic and most recently when the High Court agreed to determine whether Rolfe’s legal team can employ the NT’s Police Administration Act’s immunity clause to defend him.

It provides police officers with protection from prosecution for actions performed in “good faith” during the exercise of official power.

The Crown has challenged this, saying it could leave citizens vulnerable to police abuse or excess if it’s permitted.

A pre-trial hearing is also scheduled for November 19 to determine if there are any legal issues that flow on from the High Court judgment.

The court will also discuss contempt of court proceedings after some media outlets potentially breached a suppression order and prejudiced future jurors.

Chief Justice Grant said on Friday that the court had become aware of material about the case published on the Daily Mail website and included in a Channel 7 Spotlight episode.

Rolfe is accused of firing his gun from close range after Mr Walker stabbed him with a pair of surgical scissors as he and a fellow officer struggled to handcuff him.

As well as murder, he faces the alternative charges of manslaughter and engaging in a violent act causing death.

Rolfe remains on bail.