Killing of Cassius Turvey
Date13 October 2022 (2022-10-13) / 23 October 2022 (2022-10-23)
LocationMiddle Swan, Western Australia
MotiveUnknown
DeathsCassius Turvey
Accused
  • Jack Steven James Brearley
  • Aleesha Louise Gilmore
  • Mitchell Colin Forth
  • Brodie Lee Palmer
ChargesMurder

Cassius Turvey was a 15-year-old Australian boy who was assaulted on 13 October 2022 in Perth, Western Australia, and died ten days later of his injuries. His death sparked vigils and rallies across Australia and internationally. Four people have been charged with his murder.

Background

Cassius Turvey was a 15-year-old Noongar-Yamatji boy.[1][2] His given name was from Cassius Clay, the birth name of boxer Muhammad Ali, because his family wanted him to be named after a strong black man.[3] He was concerned with negative stereotypes of Aboriginal people, and was well-liked in his community.[1][2]

Death

On 13 October 2022, Turvey was attacked by an assailant armed with a metal pole, while walking home from school with a group of friends in Middle Swan, a Perth suburb.[4] The group, which included his best friend,[3] was approached by a group of men in a utility vehicle who verbally harassed them. One of the men exited the vehicle and chased after the boys, catching Turvey and beating him with a metal pole. Turvey was taken to the hospital and treated for injuries.[5] One of his friends, who was on crutches from a previous injury, was also attacked, with his crutches being stolen. He escaped with facial bruising.[1]

Turvey was taken to St John of God Midland Hospital with lacerations on his head. A subsequent CT scan and MRI uncovered two brain bleeds, which resulted in him being transferred to Perth Children's Hospital, where he stayed for five days before being sent home. Several hours after being discharged he suffered a seizure and returned to hospital where he was placed in an induced coma.[6] On 23 October, ten days after the attack, he died of his injuries.[4]

Aftermath

Turvey's family said on 24 October that it could be a case of mistaken identity, and that he was targeted by the assailant thinking he was someone else.[5]

His death sparked candlelit vigils and rallies across Australia on the evening of 2 November, as well as in New Zealand and Los Angeles.[7][4] Turvey's mother, Mechelle Turvey, appealed for calm at the rallies, saying that she wanted no violence in her son's name, and that she was the only person who could get justice for her son.[4] An ongoing vigil was set up at a tree near the site of the attack, dubbed "Cassius' tree".[3]

A GoFundMe fundraising drive was created for Mechelle, whose husband (and Cassius' father) had died one month before Cassius, due to cancer. By 18 November, over A$700,000 had been raised. Mechelle said that the funds would be used to set up a community service to help vulnerable and disadvantaged children.[8]

Western Australian Police and premier Mark McGowan discouraged public speculation about the reasons for the attack.[9][7] Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese described it as an attack that was "clearly racially motivated".[7][10]

Human rights lawyer Hannah McGlade, a member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, said that the death reminded the community of other deaths of Aboriginal teenagers, including Elijah Doughty and Thomas "TJ" Hickey.[1]

His funeral was held on Friday 18 November 2022. Hundreds of people attended, and it was live-streamed across the country.[8]

First Nations artists including Emma Donovan, Emily Wurramara, Drmngnow, Dobby and Optamus united to create a song in memory of Turvey, titled "Forever 15".[11] It was played at his funeral[8] and released three days later on 21 November 2022.[11][12]

A memorial plaque was installed at Weeip Park, in Midland, in October 2023.[13]

Police arrested and charged Jack Steven James Brearley, a 21-year-old man, with one count of unlawful wounding. After Turvey’s death police also charged him with murder.[14] Brearley was also charged with unlawful assault causing bodily harm in circumstances of aggravation and stealing, after allegedly attacking Turvey's 13-year-old friend with a metal pole and stealing his walking crutches and cap.[15] In January 2023, police also charged three more people with Turvey's murder:[16] Aleesha Louise Gilmore, 20, Mitchell Colin Forth, 24 and Brodie Lee Palmer, 27.[17][18]

The four accused have been committed for trial in the Supreme Court. The trial is scheduled to begin in February 2025.[19]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Turnbull, Tiffanie (3 November 2022). "Cassius Turvey: Aboriginal boy's killing puts spotlight on racism in Australia". BBC News. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 Collard, Sarah (28 October 2022). "'A lot of anger': a community shattered by the senseless death of Cassius Turvey". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Khalil, Shaimaa (10 November 2022). "Cassius Turvey: Mother's grief at killing that's shocked Australia". BBC News. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Green, Eli; Achenza, Madeleine; Raphael, Angie (2 November 2022). "Thousands mourn Cassius Turvey at dozens of rallies across Australia". news.com.au.
  5. 1 2 McNeill, Heather (24 October 2022). "Perth 'vigilante bashing' murder involved a metal pole, police say". The Age. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  6. ↑ The West Australian (24 October 2022). "Cassius Turvey: Tens of thousands of dollars already raised to support grieving family of 15-year-old boy". The West Australian. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  7. 1 2 3 Knowles, Rachael (31 October 2022). "Cassius Turvey's family surrounded by love and support at his favorite childhood park". NITV. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 Ho, Cason (18 November 2022). "Cassius Turvey funeral: hundreds mourn slain teenager and celebrate his life". ABC News. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  9. ↑ Carmody, James; Barker, Jade (27 October 2022). "West Australian Premier Mark McGowan warns against speculation over death of Cassius Turvey". ABC News. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  10. ↑ "Cassius Turvey's mum welcomes prime minister's comments on son's death". 9News. 29 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
  11. 1 2 Gallagher, Alex (25 November 2022). "DOBBY, Emily Wurramara, Kee'ahn, DRMNGNOW and more feature on song honouring the late Cassius Turvey". NME. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  12. ↑ "Forever 15". Apple Music. 21 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  13. ↑ "Memorial plaque for late Indigenous teen Cassius Turvey unveiled in Perth park". ABC News. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  14. ↑ Bridges, Alicia; Ho, Cason (24 October 2022). "Perth man charged with murder over death of Indigenous teen after alleged vicious bashing". ABC News.
  15. ↑ Thompson, Holly (4 November 2022). "Cassius Turvey murder accused Jack Brearley faces court over alleged attack on 13-year-old friend". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  16. ↑ Ho, Cason; Bourke, Keane (19 January 2023). "Police charge three more people over the alleged murder of Perth teenager Cassius Turvey". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  17. ↑ Trigger, Rebecca; Ho, Cason; Menagh, Joanna; Bourke, Keane (20 January 2023). "Cassius Turvey murder accused Aleesha Gilmore, Mitchell Forth, Brodie Palmer face court". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  18. ↑ Bunch, Aaron (20 January 2023). "Trio face court over bashing death of Indigenous Perth teen Cassius Turvey". 9News. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  19. ↑ Weber, David (31 July 2023). "Four people charged with murdering schoolboy Cassius Turvey to stand trial in 2025". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
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