The defence for an Aboriginal activist charged with stealing a coat of
arms from Old Parliament House in Canberra has been accused of
concocting a stunt in front of jurors after trying to leave court with
the same coat of arms.
Kevin Buzzacott is charged with stealing the coat of arms during a
protest in January 2002.
During an address to the court, Buzzacott explained that the animals on
the coat of arms belonged to his people and that no consent had been
given to the Commonwealth to use them.
He told the jury he did not steal the bronze plaque and that he was
simply reclaiming what was rightfully his.
He then picked up the coat of arms, which is an exhibit in the trial and
tried to leave the court room.
Judge Terrence Connolly ordered court officers to prevent him from
leaving and accused Buzzacott's defence team of concocting a stunt that
could potentially abort the trial.
Calm has been restored to the court and the trial continues. |
