WARNING: This story contains an image of a deceased person, which may be distressing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers.
A court has been informed that Cassius Turvey, a 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy, suffered a significant delay in receiving medical attention after an alleged violent assault. It took approximately four hours for him to be seen by a doctor following the incident on October 13, 2022.
Cassius sustained serious head injuries during the attack, where he was reportedly pursued and intentionally struck on the head with a metal pole in Perth’s eastern suburbs. He succumbed to his injuries ten days later in hospital.
The trial includes four defendants: Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, Jack Steven James Brearley, 23, Brodie Lee Palmer, 29, and Mitchell Colin Forth, 26, who face murder charges connected to Cassius’s death.
Medical personnel highlighted Cassius’s condition once he reached Midland Hospital around 9:30 PM, where he was treated by William Begg. The medical examination revealed a deep laceration on Cassius’s forehead, which exposed bone, as well as a bruise near his temple and a complicated ear injury. Begg noted that the laceration was notably clean.
During his treatment, Cassius exhibited signs of distress, repeatedly asking the same questions, which prompted Begg to request a CT scan. The scan revealed internal bleeding both within the brain and around the skull.
Emergency services reportedly arrived at the hospital approximately at 5:30 PM, after which Cassius was triaged and given medical care shortly thereafter. However, during cross-examination, Begg admitted that he was unaware of the delay in Cassius’s treatment.
The case continues to unfold in the Western Australian Supreme Court. For support, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals can reach out to 13YARN, while general readers may contact Lifeline or Beyond Blue for assistance.