A man charged with the murder of 15-year-old Indigenous teenager Cassius Turvey has been described in court as a vengeful bully motivated by extreme rage. Cassius, a Noongar Yamatji boy, succumbed to his injuries 10 days after an alleged attack with a metal pole on 13 October 2022 in Perth’s eastern suburbs.
Four accused, including Jack Steven James Brearley, 23, along with Brodie Lee Palmer, 29, Mitchell Colin Forth, 26, and Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, have denied any wrongdoing. During the trial’s second day, Brearley’s lawyer claimed that his client did not wield the weapon that fatally injured Cassius, suggesting another alleged assailant, Palmer, was responsible.
In contrast, Palmer’s defence refuted Brearley’s claims, labelling him as a coward deflecting blame to avoid accountability for his actions. The court heard that Brearley might have attacked Cassius out of misdirected revenge after his car was vandalised. Prosecutors alleged that Palmer and the others aided Brearley, stating their intent was clear. Gilmore’s defence argued her client was uninvolved and distanced from the incident.
Prosecutors noted that while some allege racial motives behind the murder, the state’s case does not assert this as a premise, highlighting the need for a verdict based solely on presented evidence. The trial continues, with significant public interest given the sensitive nature of the case.