In a harrowing case that has shaken Australia, two men have been found guilty of murdering 15-year-old Indigenous schoolboy Cassius Turvey in a brutal attack that occurred in October 2022. Jack Brearley, 24, and Brodie Palmer, 29, were convicted after a 12-week trial that revealed the shocking circumstances surrounding the teenager's death.
Cassius, a member of the Noongar Nation, was assaulted with a metal pole in Middle Swan, Perth, after being chased by a group seeking revenge for damage to Brearley’s car. The attack, which left Cassius with catastrophic head injuries, sparked nationwide protests and vigils, highlighting the ongoing issues of violence and racism faced by Indigenous Australians.
On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the jury took just over three days to reach their verdicts, convicting Brearley and Palmer of murder while a third man, Mitchell Forth, 27, was found guilty of manslaughter. A fourth individual, Aleesha Gilmore, was acquitted of both murder and manslaughter charges. The trial was marked by emotional testimony and graphic evidence, including CCTV footage that played a crucial role in the prosecution's case.
During the trial, it was revealed that Brearley was enraged after his car windows had been smashed, leading him to confront a group of teenagers, including Cassius. Prosecutors argued that the attack was not only unprovoked but also a culmination of a series of tit-for-tat incidents involving the accused. Brearley was recorded on CCTV saying, "Somebody smashed my car, they're about to die," just before the assault.
On the day of the attack, Cassius was walking home with friends when he was confronted by Brearley, Palmer, and Forth. Witnesses testified that the group had been “hunting for kids” they believed were responsible for the damage to Brearley’s vehicle. The confrontation escalated quickly, with Brearley allegedly striking Cassius multiple times with a metal pole taken from a shopping trolley.
Despite being rushed to the hospital and undergoing surgery, Cassius succumbed to his injuries ten days later. His mother, Mechelle Turvey, expressed her devastation and relief at the verdicts, stating, "My body just went numb with relief. Justice, to me, will never be served because I don’t have my son, and he’s not coming back." She emphasized that Cassius was innocent and had been misidentified as part of the conflict that led to his murder.
The prosecution described the attack as a tragic example of vigilante violence, noting that while some witnesses reported racial slurs being used during the confrontation, race was not presented as a motive in court. However, the case reignited discussions about the treatment of Indigenous Australians and the systemic issues they face in society.
Following the verdict, Cassius’s mother thanked the 91 witnesses who came forward, many of whom were young children who witnessed the events unfold. "Most of them were young children that are scarred for life, and they helped my son on the day," she said, holding back tears. The emotional toll of the trial was evident as she described the three months of legal proceedings as "hell."
Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen Cleal, who led the investigation, praised the community for their support and emphasized that Cassius was innocent of any wrongdoing. "This was not his fault," he stated, highlighting the tragic nature of the case and the impact it had on the local community.
In addition to the murder charges, Brearley, Palmer, Forth, Gilmore, and a fifth man, Ethan MacKenzie, were also found guilty of assaulting and unlawfully detaining other teenage boys in the days leading up to Cassius’s murder. This pattern of violence contributed to the prosecution's argument that the group had been engaged in a series of escalating confrontations, culminating in the fatal attack on Cassius.
The sentencing hearing for Brearley, Palmer, and Forth is set for June 26, 2025, where they will face the consequences of their actions in a case that has already left a profound mark on the community and the nation as a whole. The public outcry following Cassius's death has highlighted the urgent need for discussions around violence, justice, and the treatment of Indigenous Australians in society.
As the community continues to mourn the loss of Cassius Turvey, his story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Indigenous youth in Australia and the ongoing fight for justice and equality. The verdicts delivered by the jury reflect a collective desire for accountability and a hope for a future where such violence is no longer tolerated.
