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Family brace for new chapter decades after teen's death
The inquest heard police made major errors, and the family says racism hindered the original investigation into the 17-year-old's death.
On Thursday, Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame delivered findings from the second inquiry into Mark Haines' 1988 death, determining it was suspicious but leaving exact circumstances unknown.
Grahame found the initial police investigation in Tamworth was deeply flawed and influenced by racist attitudes, with improper evidence collection and abandoned leads hampering the probe.
The coroner ruled out suicide while finding that Mark's close friend Glenn Mannion likely possessed more information about the night the teenager died, though Mannion has denied knowing more.
Fighting for nearly 40 years, Don Craigie told the inquest, "Mark got the death sentence, the family got a life sentence," capturing decades of anguish.
Authorities referred the case to the unsolved homicide unit for re-examination, while Aboriginal Legal Service advocate James Pender urged action, stating the findings highlight the need for "further truth-telling.