Inquest a witch hunt, says promoter
Mr Maloney has been present for the last few days at the inquest on Darren Sutherland, aged 27, who was found dead at his flat in Bromley, south-east London, on Sept 14, 2009.
The Irishman was said to have been scared of his manager, and worried he would “destroy” his life if he quit boxing and his contract.
Michael Topolski told coroner Roy Palmer that Mr Maloney had described the inquest in London as a “witch hunt”, where “lies” had been told.
Mr Maloney said on Twitter yesterday: “What a witch hunt going on instead of trying to find the real reason he died. My head is rocking after listing [sic] to the lies today.”
He posted that he had no need to “hang my head in shame” and tweeted: “Going out with my best friends louie and winine going to walk for miles right now need to clear my f...ing head after reading that shite.”
Mr Maloney, who took Mr Sutherland on after he won a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, also posted that others closer to him needed to assess their role in his death.
The coroner said: “No one is on trial in a coron-er’s court. Lots of evidence has been given, some apparently critical of Mr Maloney.
“He will have every opportunity to give evidence and can counter what has been said.”
Mr Maloney is due to give evidence today.
Mr Maloney found the boxer’s body when he called round to see where he was. The promoter paid rent on the flat.
The inquest heard that Mr Maloney later employed a private investigator who returned to the flat and took documents. Mr Maloney had noticed there was mail for him when he entered the apartment.
The court did not hear what the documents were.
Officers recovered one note, a “to do list”, which mentioned paying back £75,000 (€90,000) plus Vat, and another note written to Mr Sutherland by his friend and adviser Declan Brennan, saying “Frank will destroy you in the media”.
Officers did not take another note, which the star’s father recovered days later, saying: “Frank will destroy you and your family” and would “hunt you down”.
Psychologist Michele Roitt told the inquest Mr Sutherland and his mother had been to see her on Sept 9. She said he was clinically depressed and didn’t know what to do with his life.
The inquest continues.
