Cassius Turvey murder trial jury retires to deliberate verdicts
A jury has started deliberating in a trial for four people accused of murdering an Indigenous teenager after he was allegedly attacked with a metal pole.
Cassius Turvey, a 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy, died in hospital 10 days after prosecutors say he was chased down, knocked to the ground and 'deliberately struck to the head' in Perth's eastern suburbs on October 13, 2022.
Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 23, her then-boyfriend Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and his mates, Brodie Lee Palmer, 29, and Mitchell Colin Forth, 26, are on trial in the WA Supreme Court for Cassius' murder.
Prosecutors allege Brearley delivered the fatal blows while 'hunting for kids' because somebody had smashed his car windows and allege Forth and Palmer aided him, and, along with Gilmore, had a common purpose.
Brearley denies he struck Cassius with a pole, saying he only punched him after the teen knifed him and that Palmer struck the fatal blows – which Palmer denies.
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The trial that started in early February has been told the alleged attack on Cassius in bushland was 'the end point of a complex series of events that had absolutely nothing to do with him'.
Prosecutor Ben Stanwix told the jury it was a 'tit-for-tat escalation' and Brearley and Forth had later used a car as a weapon and chased down two boys, hitting one of them.
The following day, Gilmore's brothers warned that a group of teens could be coming to their family home, where Brearley also lived, looking for a fight.
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The Advertiser
18 hours ago
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Vigils calling for justice are continuing across Australia as part of a national week of action following the death of a young Aboriginal man in police custody. Kumanjayi White, 24, who had a mental disability, died on May 27 shortly after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes police officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. His death has sparked national outcry, with his family demanding an independent inquiry and for the officers involved to be stood down. Speaking at a rally outside Victoria's parliament on Friday, Mr White's grandfather, Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said his grandson was "killed for no good reason." "What have we done to you. We are supposed to be working together in harmony but (police) are taking away our lives," he said. "He was not a criminal. He was a quiet, young man." The rally was also attended by Krauatungalung Elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe, Senator Lidia Thorpe, and Aunty Donna Kerr, the mother of Joshua Kerr. 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About 300 people attended the vigil on the steps of Victorian parliament, holding signs that read "Who is the real thief?" and "Genocide in progress". Senator Thorpe said more must be done to stop the "genocide" in Australia, noting it had been five years since the global Black Lives Matter movement was ignited after the police killing of George Floyd in the US. She vowed to support the family's call for an independent investigation into police. NT Police on Friday confirmed the officers had not been stood down. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro rejected calls for an external investigation, saying police are the right authority to carry it out coupled with a coronial inquiry. Vigils have been organised across the nation, including Sydney, Brisbane, and Wollongong on Saturday with events in Perth and Adelaide to follow on Sunday. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Vigils calling for justice are continuing across Australia as part of a national week of action following the death of a young Aboriginal man in police custody. Kumanjayi White, 24, who had a mental disability, died on May 27 shortly after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes police officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. His death has sparked national outcry, with his family demanding an independent inquiry and for the officers involved to be stood down. Speaking at a rally outside Victoria's parliament on Friday, Mr White's grandfather, Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said his grandson was "killed for no good reason." "What have we done to you. We are supposed to be working together in harmony but (police) are taking away our lives," he said. "He was not a criminal. He was a quiet, young man." The rally was also attended by Krauatungalung Elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe, Senator Lidia Thorpe, and Aunty Donna Kerr, the mother of Joshua Kerr. Ms Kerr spoke of the urgent need for justice, recalling how her own son, an Indigenous man, was found unconscious in his prison cell and later died in August 2022. "Shame on this country. Shame on what they have done to our kids and families in incarceration. There is not a day that goes past where I pinch myself because my son is never coming home," she said. "How are we here today, going three years since my boy, now another child, shame. Justice is what we want in this country." About 300 people attended the vigil on the steps of Victorian parliament, holding signs that read "Who is the real thief?" and "Genocide in progress". Senator Thorpe said more must be done to stop the "genocide" in Australia, noting it had been five years since the global Black Lives Matter movement was ignited after the police killing of George Floyd in the US. She vowed to support the family's call for an independent investigation into police. NT Police on Friday confirmed the officers had not been stood down. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro rejected calls for an external investigation, saying police are the right authority to carry it out coupled with a coronial inquiry. Vigils have been organised across the nation, including Sydney, Brisbane, and Wollongong on Saturday with events in Perth and Adelaide to follow on Sunday. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Vigils calling for justice are continuing across Australia as part of a national week of action following the death of a young Aboriginal man in police custody. Kumanjayi White, 24, who had a mental disability, died on May 27 shortly after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes police officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. His death has sparked national outcry, with his family demanding an independent inquiry and for the officers involved to be stood down. Speaking at a rally outside Victoria's parliament on Friday, Mr White's grandfather, Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said his grandson was "killed for no good reason." "What have we done to you. We are supposed to be working together in harmony but (police) are taking away our lives," he said. "He was not a criminal. He was a quiet, young man." The rally was also attended by Krauatungalung Elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe, Senator Lidia Thorpe, and Aunty Donna Kerr, the mother of Joshua Kerr. Ms Kerr spoke of the urgent need for justice, recalling how her own son, an Indigenous man, was found unconscious in his prison cell and later died in August 2022. "Shame on this country. Shame on what they have done to our kids and families in incarceration. There is not a day that goes past where I pinch myself because my son is never coming home," she said. "How are we here today, going three years since my boy, now another child, shame. Justice is what we want in this country." About 300 people attended the vigil on the steps of Victorian parliament, holding signs that read "Who is the real thief?" and "Genocide in progress". Senator Thorpe said more must be done to stop the "genocide" in Australia, noting it had been five years since the global Black Lives Matter movement was ignited after the police killing of George Floyd in the US. She vowed to support the family's call for an independent investigation into police. NT Police on Friday confirmed the officers had not been stood down. Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro rejected calls for an external investigation, saying police are the right authority to carry it out coupled with a coronial inquiry. Vigils have been organised across the nation, including Sydney, Brisbane, and Wollongong on Saturday with events in Perth and Adelaide to follow on Sunday. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
Perth Now
18 hours ago
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Calls for justice and action on deaths in custody
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
'Shame on you': united call for death-in-custody action
The sound of a passing tram is all that breaks the silence as hundreds of people gather outside parliament, standing together in unity to honour a young Aboriginal man who died in police custody. Relatives, friends and allies shut down Melbourne's Spring Street in a powerful vigil on Friday, part of a national week of action demanding justice for 24-year-old Kumanjayi White and an end to Indigenous deaths in custody. Mr White, who had a mental disability, died on May 27 shortly after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes police officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, originally from the outback community of Yuendumu, was shoplifting and had assaulted a security guard who confronted him in the confectionery aisle. Speaking at the rally on Friday, Mr White's grandfather, Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said his grandson was "killed for no good reason". "What have we done to you? We are supposed to be working together in harmony but (police) are taking away our lives," he said. "That is not good. (He) was only getting a packet of lollies. Shame on you. "He was not a criminal. He was a quiet, young man." The rally was also attended by Krautungalung Elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe, senator Lidia Thorpe and Aunty Donna Kerr, the mother of Joshua Kerr. Ms Kerr spoke of the urgent need for justice, recalling how her son, an Indigenous man, was found unconscious in his prison cell and later died in August 2022. About 300 people attended the vigil, holding signs that read "Who is the real thief?" and "Genocide in progress". Senator Thorpe vowed to support the family's call for an independent investigation into police. "We are here to call for the footage that was taken of that murder in the supermarket," she told the large crowd. "The family want to see the footage ... so they can see what really happened." NT Police on Friday confirmed officers have not been stood down. The force and NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro have strongly rejected calls for an external investigation, saying police are the right authority to carry it out, coupled with a coronial inquiry. Mr White's family expressed anger over the rejection of calls for an independent investigation, backing the Central Land Council's demand for Canberra to withhold funding from the NT government until it agrees to establish an independent body to examine police misconduct. NT Police has said its investigation would abide by strict protocols with full transparency and be independently reviewed by the coroner. "We ask the community to allow the investigation to take its course," Acting Commissioner Martin Dole said in a statement. "We are committed to a full and fair examination of the facts." Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy has said an independent death in custody probe might be warranted "in the interest of having some separation". The Yuendumu community also lost 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in 2019 when he was fatally shot by then NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a bungled arrest. Mr Rolfe was found not guilty of all charges over the death in 2022. The Kumanjayi Walker coronial findings have been postponed until July 7 after Kumanjayi White's death in custody. Rallies to protest Mr White's death in custody and urge an independent inquiry were planned for Melbourne, Alice Springs and Cairns on Friday and Sydney, Brisbane, Wollongong and Adelaide on Saturday. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 The sound of a passing tram is all that breaks the silence as hundreds of people gather outside parliament, standing together in unity to honour a young Aboriginal man who died in police custody. Relatives, friends and allies shut down Melbourne's Spring Street in a powerful vigil on Friday, part of a national week of action demanding justice for 24-year-old Kumanjayi White and an end to Indigenous deaths in custody. Mr White, who had a mental disability, died on May 27 shortly after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes police officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, originally from the outback community of Yuendumu, was shoplifting and had assaulted a security guard who confronted him in the confectionery aisle. Speaking at the rally on Friday, Mr White's grandfather, Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said his grandson was "killed for no good reason". "What have we done to you? We are supposed to be working together in harmony but (police) are taking away our lives," he said. "That is not good. (He) was only getting a packet of lollies. Shame on you. "He was not a criminal. He was a quiet, young man." The rally was also attended by Krautungalung Elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe, senator Lidia Thorpe and Aunty Donna Kerr, the mother of Joshua Kerr. Ms Kerr spoke of the urgent need for justice, recalling how her son, an Indigenous man, was found unconscious in his prison cell and later died in August 2022. About 300 people attended the vigil, holding signs that read "Who is the real thief?" and "Genocide in progress". Senator Thorpe vowed to support the family's call for an independent investigation into police. "We are here to call for the footage that was taken of that murder in the supermarket," she told the large crowd. "The family want to see the footage ... so they can see what really happened." NT Police on Friday confirmed officers have not been stood down. The force and NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro have strongly rejected calls for an external investigation, saying police are the right authority to carry it out, coupled with a coronial inquiry. Mr White's family expressed anger over the rejection of calls for an independent investigation, backing the Central Land Council's demand for Canberra to withhold funding from the NT government until it agrees to establish an independent body to examine police misconduct. NT Police has said its investigation would abide by strict protocols with full transparency and be independently reviewed by the coroner. "We ask the community to allow the investigation to take its course," Acting Commissioner Martin Dole said in a statement. "We are committed to a full and fair examination of the facts." Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy has said an independent death in custody probe might be warranted "in the interest of having some separation". The Yuendumu community also lost 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in 2019 when he was fatally shot by then NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a bungled arrest. Mr Rolfe was found not guilty of all charges over the death in 2022. The Kumanjayi Walker coronial findings have been postponed until July 7 after Kumanjayi White's death in custody. Rallies to protest Mr White's death in custody and urge an independent inquiry were planned for Melbourne, Alice Springs and Cairns on Friday and Sydney, Brisbane, Wollongong and Adelaide on Saturday. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 The sound of a passing tram is all that breaks the silence as hundreds of people gather outside parliament, standing together in unity to honour a young Aboriginal man who died in police custody. Relatives, friends and allies shut down Melbourne's Spring Street in a powerful vigil on Friday, part of a national week of action demanding justice for 24-year-old Kumanjayi White and an end to Indigenous deaths in custody. Mr White, who had a mental disability, died on May 27 shortly after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes police officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, originally from the outback community of Yuendumu, was shoplifting and had assaulted a security guard who confronted him in the confectionery aisle. Speaking at the rally on Friday, Mr White's grandfather, Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said his grandson was "killed for no good reason". "What have we done to you? We are supposed to be working together in harmony but (police) are taking away our lives," he said. "That is not good. (He) was only getting a packet of lollies. Shame on you. "He was not a criminal. He was a quiet, young man." The rally was also attended by Krautungalung Elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe, senator Lidia Thorpe and Aunty Donna Kerr, the mother of Joshua Kerr. Ms Kerr spoke of the urgent need for justice, recalling how her son, an Indigenous man, was found unconscious in his prison cell and later died in August 2022. About 300 people attended the vigil, holding signs that read "Who is the real thief?" and "Genocide in progress". Senator Thorpe vowed to support the family's call for an independent investigation into police. "We are here to call for the footage that was taken of that murder in the supermarket," she told the large crowd. "The family want to see the footage ... so they can see what really happened." NT Police on Friday confirmed officers have not been stood down. The force and NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro have strongly rejected calls for an external investigation, saying police are the right authority to carry it out, coupled with a coronial inquiry. Mr White's family expressed anger over the rejection of calls for an independent investigation, backing the Central Land Council's demand for Canberra to withhold funding from the NT government until it agrees to establish an independent body to examine police misconduct. NT Police has said its investigation would abide by strict protocols with full transparency and be independently reviewed by the coroner. "We ask the community to allow the investigation to take its course," Acting Commissioner Martin Dole said in a statement. "We are committed to a full and fair examination of the facts." Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy has said an independent death in custody probe might be warranted "in the interest of having some separation". The Yuendumu community also lost 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in 2019 when he was fatally shot by then NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a bungled arrest. Mr Rolfe was found not guilty of all charges over the death in 2022. The Kumanjayi Walker coronial findings have been postponed until July 7 after Kumanjayi White's death in custody. Rallies to protest Mr White's death in custody and urge an independent inquiry were planned for Melbourne, Alice Springs and Cairns on Friday and Sydney, Brisbane, Wollongong and Adelaide on Saturday. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 The sound of a passing tram is all that breaks the silence as hundreds of people gather outside parliament, standing together in unity to honour a young Aboriginal man who died in police custody. Relatives, friends and allies shut down Melbourne's Spring Street in a powerful vigil on Friday, part of a national week of action demanding justice for 24-year-old Kumanjayi White and an end to Indigenous deaths in custody. Mr White, who had a mental disability, died on May 27 shortly after being forcibly restrained by two plain-clothes police officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs. Police allege the 24-year-old, originally from the outback community of Yuendumu, was shoplifting and had assaulted a security guard who confronted him in the confectionery aisle. Speaking at the rally on Friday, Mr White's grandfather, Warlpiri Elder Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, said his grandson was "killed for no good reason". "What have we done to you? We are supposed to be working together in harmony but (police) are taking away our lives," he said. "That is not good. (He) was only getting a packet of lollies. Shame on you. "He was not a criminal. He was a quiet, young man." The rally was also attended by Krautungalung Elder Uncle Robbie Thorpe, senator Lidia Thorpe and Aunty Donna Kerr, the mother of Joshua Kerr. Ms Kerr spoke of the urgent need for justice, recalling how her son, an Indigenous man, was found unconscious in his prison cell and later died in August 2022. About 300 people attended the vigil, holding signs that read "Who is the real thief?" and "Genocide in progress". Senator Thorpe vowed to support the family's call for an independent investigation into police. "We are here to call for the footage that was taken of that murder in the supermarket," she told the large crowd. "The family want to see the footage ... so they can see what really happened." NT Police on Friday confirmed officers have not been stood down. The force and NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro have strongly rejected calls for an external investigation, saying police are the right authority to carry it out, coupled with a coronial inquiry. Mr White's family expressed anger over the rejection of calls for an independent investigation, backing the Central Land Council's demand for Canberra to withhold funding from the NT government until it agrees to establish an independent body to examine police misconduct. NT Police has said its investigation would abide by strict protocols with full transparency and be independently reviewed by the coroner. "We ask the community to allow the investigation to take its course," Acting Commissioner Martin Dole said in a statement. "We are committed to a full and fair examination of the facts." Federal Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy has said an independent death in custody probe might be warranted "in the interest of having some separation". The Yuendumu community also lost 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in 2019 when he was fatally shot by then NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a bungled arrest. Mr Rolfe was found not guilty of all charges over the death in 2022. The Kumanjayi Walker coronial findings have been postponed until July 7 after Kumanjayi White's death in custody. Rallies to protest Mr White's death in custody and urge an independent inquiry were planned for Melbourne, Alice Springs and Cairns on Friday and Sydney, Brisbane, Wollongong and Adelaide on Saturday. 13YARN 13 92 76 Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636
