Cops face hearing over student assault

The lawyers for four police officers charged after the death of Brazilian student Roberto Curti have been told they may have to "abandon" other cases in order to deal quickly with the assault matter.

Mr Curti died in the early hours of March 18, 2012, in Sydney's CBD following a chase and violent struggle with police.

Following an inquest into his death, four officers - Scott James Edmondson, Chin Aun Lim, Daniel David Barling and Damian John Ralph - were all charged in relation to the alleged assault on Mr Curti.

Today, Downing Centre Local Court heard the officers would be facing a four-week hearing on the matter, in which the prosecution is expected to call 34 witnesses.

After the officers' legal representatives raised concerns as to the timing of the hearing, Magistrate Jane Culver told them they "may have to abandon" their other cases in order to resolve the case, which she said had been "hanging around since 2012".

"Clearly the stakes for your clients are high, as are the stakes for the deceased's family," she told them.

She added that the matter was "very serious", and it involved a high degree of public interest that needed to be resolved.

A coronial inquest into Mr Curti's death heard how the 21-year-old had an adverse reaction to LSD before he stole biscuits from a convenience store.

During an ensuing struggle with police, who thought he was armed, the student from Sao Paolo was tasered 14 times, handcuffed, hit with capsicum spray and knelt on.

Edmondson, 33, has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault, while, Lim also 33, has been charged with common assault.

Barling, 26, has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault.

Ralph, 29, has been charged with assault.

All four have pleaded not guilty.

 

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