Two men have been convicted of murdering Cassius Turvey, a 15-year-old Aboriginal schoolboy whose tragic death has caused widespread outrage across Australia. Cassius, who was part of the Noongar Yamatji community, suffered fatal head injuries as he was pursued and brutally attacked by a group of vigilantes in October 2022, a brutal incident that triggered nationwide protests and vigils.
Following a lengthy 12-week trial, Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and Brodie Lee Palmer, 29, were found guilty of murder, while a third individual, Mitchell Colin Forth, 27, received a manslaughter conviction. A woman who accompanied the men was acquitted.
Emotional responses flooded in after the verdict. Cassius's mother, Mechelle Turvey, expressed her "numb relief" and acknowledged the difficult journey of the past three months but sorrowfully noted that "justice, to me, will never be served" without her son.
During the proceedings, the jury heard how the attack on Cassius stemmed from a series of retaliatory actions unrelated to him. Prosecutors described how the attackers sought revenge for damage to Brearley’s car, leading to their confrontation with Cassius and other children on a suburban street. A video played in court captured Brearley’s earlier warning, reflecting his vengeful mindset.
In a harrowing detail, the prosecution laid out the circumstances surrounding the attack, where Cassius was struck multiple times in the head with a metal pole, leading to severe brain injuries. Despite efforts to save him through surgery, Cassius succumbed to his injuries ten days post-assault.
Brearley attempted to defend his actions as self-defense, while Palmer shifted blame onto Brearley, yet the jury concluded both were complicit in the murder.
As the men prepare for sentencing on June 26, the community remembers Cassius as a kind-hearted individual who sought to positively impact how Aboriginal youth were perceived in society, even starting a small lawn mowing business with friends to help neighbours.
His death has sparked intense dialogue about racial discrimination in Australia, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasizing the overtly racial undertones of the attack, igniting a national conversation about racism and violence against Aboriginal people.
