The New South Wales coroner's court has commenced a long-awaited inquest into the death of 43-year-old Jesse Deacon, who was fatally shot by police in his Glebe home on 19 July 2023. The court heard that officers knocked on his door at 11:56 pm and, within one minute, kicked it open after Deacon emerged with a large knife. A Taser deployed by an officer failed, and less than a second later, another officer shot him dead.
Mental Health Background
Deputy state coroner David O'Neil heard that Deacon suffered from treatment-resistant schizophrenia, a condition affecting about 30% of people with the illness, for whom treatment is 'incredibly complex.' His mother, 82-year-old Judy Deacon, has become a leading advocate for mental health reform in police responses. She told the court she would represent herself, forgoing legal aid, and urged that the inquest's recommendations be implemented.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Donna Ward SC, outlined the police chronology. The dispatch service described the incident as a self-harm call involving 'cut wrists.' A later warning incorrectly stated that Deacon had HIV and could assault police 'without provocation.' Ward noted that the police system lacked warnings about his mental health challenges.
Police Investigation
Detective Superintendent Glenn Browne, the officer in charge of the investigation, testified he was surprised no mental health warning was attached given Deacon's history. 'The purpose of warning is to convey the most important information to police when responding to incident,' he said. He presumed the HIV warning stemmed from a delusion Deacon expressed during a prior arrest.
During questioning by Judy Deacon, Browne stated, 'I'm not completely sure, Mrs Deacon, I wish things could be done better, I wish there were better ways.' He added, 'Where there is a risk to personal safety, I doubt we will ever reach a point where ambulance officers will attend instead of us, I doubt there will ever be funding for experts to be there and help guide us through those incidents.'
Deacon's History
Ward described a 'cyclical pattern' in Deacon's life: hospitalisation, improvement, discharge with a community treatment order, then deterioration in mental health or increased drug use leading to crisis and containment. She listed incidents where Deacon posed risks to himself and assaulted others, including strangers and medical staff, but stressed these facts were not to engage in 'victim blaming.' She said Deacon did 'not cause his own death,' but understanding the circumstances required confronting his life's difficulties.
Judy Deacon was joined in court by family members of other victims killed during police interactions, including Lisa Topic, whose daughter Courtney was fatally shot by police during a psychotic episode in 2015. Judy said, 'I'm hoping with the way I intend to question people, which is not to lay blame … but to bring out things to help your honour to put forward recommendations that are not only adhered to but are followed up and sustained into the future.' The inquest continues.
