Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Indigenous teen’s murder case in WA court
Jack Brearley has briefly appeared in a Perth court over the alleged murder of Indigenous teen Cassius Turvey as he walked home from school in October.
January 18, 2022
A man accused of bashing an Indigenous teenager to death with a metal pole as he walked home from school in Perth has faced a court.
Jack Steven James Brearley, 21, was charged with murder over the alleged attack on Cassius Turvey, 15, on October 13.
Brearley briefly appeared on Wednesday via video-link in the Western Australian Magistrates Court.
Dressed in a green tracksuit, he confirmed his identity from Casuarina Prison in Perth’s south but said little else.
Lawyer Ben Stanwix told the court the case was ready to proceed to a disclosure committal hearing and asked for a 10-week adjournment, which was granted.
Noongar Yamatji boy Cassius died in hospital 10 days after he was allegedly violently beaten, while walking home from school in Middle Swan with friends.
It’s alleged Brearley chased the youths before attacking Cassius, leaving him with serious head injuries.
His death triggered an outpouring of grief and anger across the nation, with some Indigenous leaders condemning the alleged attack as cowardly and racist.
Cassius has been remembered as a loving son and a role model to his friends. He had started his own lawn mowing business and was invited at age 11 to deliver an acknowledgement of country at the WA parliament.
Brearley has also been charged with bashing one of Cassius’s friends, who had been on crutches.
The 21-year-old was remanded in custody until the matter returns to court on March 29.