Justin James Cordy, a 34-year-old father, died at the Alexander Maconochie Centre in February 2023. Photo: File.
CONTENT WARNING: This article refers to suicide and self-harm.
An inquest will be held into the death of an inmate at Canberra’s jail who is suspected of committing suicide the day after he was refused bail and taken into custody.
Justin James Cordy died at the Alexander Maconochie Centre on 26 February 2023, the ACT Coroner’s Court heard on Thursday (8 February).
The 34-year-old had two children, aged 13 and 11 at the time, and some of his family members arrived in the courtroom on Thursday to listen to a directions hearing for the inquest.
The family heard that Coroner Ken Archer would not oversee the inquest as he had been the one who remanded Cordy in custody that weekend and he would instead ask for another law officer to be appointed as the coroner for the matter.
The counsel assisting the coroner, barrister Vanessa Thomas, said Cordy had been arrested on 24 February 2023 and charged with various offences, then he was remanded in custody on 25 February by Mr Archer when he had been acting as a duty magistrate.
Cordy did not apply for bail during that hearing and Ms Thomas thought it was unlikely that there would be any issue with Mr Archer’s order that he be remanded into custody.
But she said there had not been any application for a mental health order to be made for Cordy, which would involve him being taken to hospital for an assessment by medical professionals, and Mr Archer had not been made aware of any concerns for his mental health.
Ms Thomas said there was evidence that the police officers investigating the allegations against Cordy did have concerns for his mental health and his risk of self-harm and they had prepared a minute regarding their concerns.
Mr Archer had not been made aware of this minute, she said.
She expected the inquest may consider the effectiveness of the process involving police concerns being conveyed to the court.
She also assured Cordy’s family that finding a new coroner would not affect the future preparation for a hearing.
Mr Archer said the decision he had made to not sit for the inquest was “regrettable” and a directions hearing for the matter would be listed in the future.
If you need help, or someone you know does, you can contact:
Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support line – 13 11 14
Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467
Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 or kidshelpline.com.au
MensLine Australia – 1300 789 978 or mensline.org.au.
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