Qld cop apologises to Doomadgee family

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THE police officer who arrested an Aboriginal man who subsequently died in police custody has apologised to the man's family while giving evidence into his death.

Palm Island man Cameron Doomadgee - also known as Mulrunji - died on the island's watchhouse floor an hour after being arrested for public nuisance on November 19, 2004.

Giving evidence to the re-opened inquest into the death-in-custody case in Townsville on Friday, Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley said he was sorry for the angst suffered by the man's family.

Mr Doomadgee's de facto, Tracey Twaddle, and other family members sat in the public gallery.

"I've always wanted to say to Tracey and the family that I offer my sincere sympathy for Mulrunji's death and I am sorry for that angst that they have had to suffer over the last number of years," he told the court.

However, under questioning from the family's barrister Andrew Boe, Sen Sgt Hurley said he did not regret his action on the day.

"It happened sir," he said.

"You can't regret what you've done.

"I have arrested people since for the same type of offence."

Sen Sgt Hurley was acquitted of Mr Doomadgee's manslaughter in June 2007, despite admitting he "must have" caused the fatal injuries.

Medical evidence provided to the court indicated Mr Doomadgee had suffered severe internal injuries including a burst portal vein and a liver which had been almost cut in two.

The court heard the injuries could have been caused either in a complicated fall with the 115kg Sen Sgt Hurley landing on top of Mr Doomadgee, or by the officer deliberately "dropping his knee" into the man.

The inquest continues.