Perth woman's family fear retribution despite not guilty verdict in murder trial
Aleesha Gilmore looked like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders on Thursday when a Supreme Court jury declared her not guilty of the murder or manslaughter of Indigenous schoolboy Cassius Turvey.
The verdict marked the end of a two-year battle for Gilmore and her family, who say they have suffered death threats and assaults since she was arrested accused of being involved in the brutal bashing of an innocent boy.
Gilmore, 23, a former childcare worker, was at the time in a relationship with Jack Brearley, 24, who declared war against a group of schoolkids he wrongly believed had smashed the windows of his car.
Cassius, 15, was caught up in the melee on October 13, 2022 and chased by Brearley and his former friend and fellow thug, Brodie Palmer, 29.
Both Brearley and Palmer were found guilty of murder and a third man, Mitchell Forth, was found guilty of manslaughter. Gilmore was found not guilty of both.
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On Thursday, it was revealed it was Palmer who held Cassius down while Brearley bashed him in the head with the metal handle of a shopping trolley.
Cassius died in hospital from his injuries 10 days later.
During the assault, Gilmore was nowhere near the Middle Swan reserve, having had an argument with Brearley and left the car they were driving around in.
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