A coronial inquest into the police shooting death of Indigenous man Kumanjayi Walker heard yesterday that Zachary Rolfe – the constable acquitted of his murder – sent a series of racist text messages to his fellow officers. Earlier this year, the Northern Territory’s Supreme Court found Rolfe not guilty of murdering the 19yo during an attempted arrest in the remote town of Yuendumu in 2019. Now, a coronial inquest in Alice Springs is taking a broader look at Walker’s death and will consider whether racism played a part. Authorities downloaded thousands of messages from Rolfe’s phone after he was arrested – evidence that prosecutors unsuccessfully tried to include in his trial. Peggy Dwyer, the lawyer assisting the coroner, said they reveal “very disturbing attitudes towards Aboriginal people”. The inquest will hear from Rolfe as part of its hearings.