Two men have been convicted of murdering Cassius Turvey, a 15-year-old Aboriginal boy who was violently assaulted by a gang in Perth, Australia. The attack took place in October 2022 and resulted in Cassius succumbing to severe head injuries after a brutal encounter. His death ignited protests and vigils across Australia, sparking widespread discussions about violence and racism.
During the recent 12-week trial, Jack Steven James Brearley, 24, and Brodie Lee Palmer, 29, were found guilty of murder, while another man, Mitchell Colin Forth, 27, was convicted of manslaughter. A female companion was acquitted. The events leading to the attack involved tensions unrelated to Cassius, as the group sought revenge for damage done to Brearley's car.
Cassius was targeted while walking home from school with friends. Prosecutors detailed how he was struck multiple times with a metal pole, resulting in a brain bleed. Despite attempts to save him through surgery, Cassius passed away days later. Brearley had been recorded boasting about the attack on a phone call, while both men attempted to shift blame during the trial.
After the verdict, Cassius's mother, Mechelle Turvey, expressed mixed emotions—feeling relieved yet heartbroken since her son would never return. Cassius was remembered fondly in his community for his kindness and entrepreneurial spirit, having started a lawn-mowing business with friends to challenge negative stereotypes about Aboriginal youth.
His murder prompted a national outcry over racism in Australia, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese labeling the attack as racially motivated. The case not only brought Cassius’s story to light but also reignited crucial discussions around racial discrimination in the country.
