An inquiry into the death of Roberto Laudisio Curti, who was tasered to death in March (2012) , has heard that Robert was kicked by police officers before tasered 14 times to “restrain” him.

Our original report in March can be read here: Student Tasered to Death in Australia.

Coroner Mary Jerram has claimed that tasers were used at least 14 times – discharged 14 times on his body, that is – and that police force also used capsicum spray and handcuffs to detain Roberto Laudisio Curti.

They chased the 21-year-old in the Sydney CBD in March after reports of a robbery at a convenience store. He supposedly stole biscuits, despite the fact that he was well-off, friends had called this “out of character” and that he was financially secure with no previous legal troubles.

The coroner is scrutinizing the reasons for the tasering and investigating into whether or not the police followed the strict guidelines before they tasered Mr Curti.

Local resident Tommy Wang told the coroners’ court that he witnessed a female police constable kick the student as he lay on the ground. He further stated that Robert Laudisio was unarmed and not wearing a shirt, and described the police conduct as violent and excessive.

It was also told that a police officer making radio transmissions kept referring to the alleged convenience store robbery as an “armed robbery” even though there was no such claim that Mr. Curti was ever armed.

Family members who have come to court from the 21-year-olds’ hometown Brazil say they hope the two week inquest will get to the truth about who was liable for Mr Curti’s death.

We at WordswithMeaning! do not want this to pass and so we will keep you up to date as soon as further details develop.