In a case that has drawn national attention and outrage, two men were found guilty on May 8, 2025, for the murder of 15-year-old Cassius Turvey, an Indigenous schoolboy who was brutally attacked in Perth's eastern suburbs. Jack Brearley, 24, and Brodie Palmer, 29, were convicted after a jury deliberated for over three days, while a third man, Mitchell Forth, 27, was found guilty of manslaughter, and a fourth, Aleesha Gilmore, 23, was acquitted of any involvement.
The tragic incident occurred on October 13, 2022, when Cassius was chased into bushland and savagely beaten with a metal pole that had been ripped from a shopping trolley. He suffered severe head injuries and succumbed to his injuries in the hospital ten days later, sparking a murder investigation and widespread public outcry.
During the trial, which lasted 12 weeks and involved the testimonies of 91 witnesses, the jury heard conflicting accounts of the events leading up to Cassius's death. Brearley and his associates were reportedly seeking revenge after their car windows were smashed by a group of schoolchildren days prior. Cassius had nothing to do with the vandalism but became an innocent victim in a spiraling cycle of violence.
Cassius’s mother, Mechelle Turvey, expressed her relief at the verdicts, stating, "My son has finally got justice. May he live forever, 15, as a gentle giant, one that helped everyone." She highlighted the pain of losing her son, who was described as a kind-hearted boy with no judgmental bone in his body. "He had nothing to do with smashing Mr. Brearley’s car windows, but his life was taken," she lamented.
In the lead-up to the fatal attack, the jury learned that Brearley had been enraged after his car was vandalized. On the day of the attack, he and his accomplices armed themselves with metal poles and set out to confront children they believed were responsible. Cassius, along with a group of about 20 peers, had caught a bus to the area to watch a fight that was being discussed on social media.
As the group of children dispersed in fear, Cassius was pursued by Brearley, who allegedly struck him multiple times with the pole, resulting in catastrophic injuries. Despite managing to walk away from the immediate scene, Cassius's condition deteriorated, leading to his hospitalization and eventual death.
Throughout the trial, the defense attempted to shift blame among the accused, with Brearley claiming that Cassius had attacked him first, while Palmer maintained he was not present during the assault. However, the prosecution argued that all three men shared a common purpose in seeking out the children and inflicting harm.
The emotional toll of the trial was evident, particularly on Cassius's family and the young witnesses who testified. Mechelle Turvey thanked those who supported her family during the ordeal, acknowledging the bravery of the children who came forward to provide evidence, stating, "Most of them were young children that are scarred for life that helped my son on the day."
Detective Sergeant Steve Cleal, who led the investigation into Cassius's murder, expressed hope that the verdicts would provide some measure of healing for the Turvey family. "Cassius was completely innocent of all the events that led up to this terrible tragedy ... this was not his fault," he stated.
The trial also revealed a disturbing pattern of violence that preceded Cassius's death. On October 9, 2022, Brearley and his associates allegedly unlawfully detained two boys, physically assaulting them days before the attack on Cassius. This incident was characterized by the prosecutor as part of a tit-for-tat escalation of violence that ultimately led to the tragic outcome.
In a poignant moment outside the courthouse, Mechelle Turvey reflected on her son’s legacy and the impact of his death on the community. "My son died for absolutely nothing. Anyone thinks that they can lay a hand on any other human being, it is so, so wrong, you know," she said, emphasizing the need for compassion and humanity in society.
As the court proceedings concluded, the community continued to grapple with the implications of the verdicts. Premier Roger Cook commented on the case, stating, "This was a dreadful horrible experience, a very violent experience when Cassius left us, and I think we were all deeply saddened and disturbed by the accounts of that crime. I hope that people see now that justice has been served and that this provides some closure and comfort to his family."
With the sentencing date set for June 26, 2025, the focus now shifts to the consequences faced by those found guilty and the broader societal issues raised by this tragic case. Cassius Turvey's story serves as a painful reminder of the need for vigilance against violence and the importance of standing up for justice in the face of tragedy.
