A court has heard chilling details surrounding the alleged murder of 15-year-old Cassius Turvey, a Noongar Yamatji boy, who succumbed to his injuries ten days after being attacked in Perth on October 13, 2022. The prosecution claims that Cassius was chased, knocked down, and deliberately struck to the head.
The trial involves four individuals: 23-year-old Aleesha Louise Gilmore, her then-boyfriend Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and two others, Brodie Lee Palmer, 29, and Mitchell Colin Forth, 26. Prosecutors allege Brearley dealt the lethal blows during a violent confrontation aimed at a group of teenagers.
During cross-examinations, prosecutor Tracy Tan challenged Palmer’s assertion that he was not present when Cassius was attacked. Tan confronted Palmer about holding a metal pole during the incident and suggested he may have directly contributed to the assault. Palmer continued to deny any involvement, stating the claims were “incorrect.”
Brearley, meanwhile, has denied striking Turvey with a pole, insisting he only retaliated after being stabbed and was not responsible for the fatal injuries. Palmer previously noted his intoxication at the time of the incident but claimed he remained unaware of the group’s intentions to harm anyone.
Evidence presented in court suggested that after the confrontation, the accused drove to Gilmore’s home, where Brearley medicated his knife wounds while Forth allegedly gathered weapons, indicating their intention to confront the group once more.
The case has ignited considerable public outrage, with many vigils held in memory of Cassius and calls for justice echoing across Australia. As the trial progresses, the complexities of the incident, including discussions about substance use and the intentions of those involved, are becoming clearer.
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