The family of a grandmother, whose tragic death in a stabbing incident led to significant legal reforms, recently shared their emotional ordeal, shedding light on the profound effects of the attack. Their pain was palpable as they recounted the horror of the event.
In February 2024, Vyleen White was brutally killed by a teenager during a carjacking incident outside a Queensland shopping center. The crime, witnessed by a young girl, sent shockwaves throughout the region, leaving an indelible mark on the community.
The 70-year-old’s untimely death became a pivotal moment for legal change in Queensland. It propelled the Liberal-National government to introduce the contentious “adult crime, adult time” laws. These reforms now mandate that juveniles can face life sentences when convicted of murder.
Today, the Queensland Supreme Court witnessed the sentencing of a teenage boy, now 17, who had pleaded guilty to the murder at the Redbank Plains shopping center near Brisbane. His actions on that fateful day involved the fatal stabbing of White as he stole her 2009 Hyundai Getz.
In the courtroom, as Chief Justice Helen Bowskill presided over the proceedings, the teen remained composed. Meanwhile, the room was filled with White’s family and supporters, who listened to the poignant victim impact statements that captured the depth of their loss.
The teen appeared calm as heartbreaking victim impact statements were heard by Chief Justice Helen Bowskill in a court packed by White’s family and supporters.
White’s husband, who was in the gallery with his three daughters, expressed his anger over the “injustice” of his wife’s murder.
“My wife and partner of 50 years is gone, and with her a part of me is gone,” Victor White said in a victim impact statement read by the prosecution.
The victim’s daughter Denise broke down as she spoke in court, describing how her life had changed since losing her “anchor”.
“The things that used to bring me joy … now they’re totally meaningless,” she said in her impact statement.
The LNP campaigned hard on youth crime following White’s death and introduced tough laws after winning the 2024 election.
The changes mean juveniles face adult jail terms for serious offences, including life terms for murder.
But the laws are not retrospective, meaning White’s attacker could spend significantly less than 10 years behind bars.
Crown prosecutor Chris Cook pushed for the maximum available sentence, saying the teen’s offending was significantly aggravated as the murder was witnessed by a young girl.
“There was a lack of hesitation. (The teen) had other options for his aim of stealing car keys,” he said.
Justice Bowskill heard the teen, aged 16 at the time, had been drinking vodka and committing “brazen thefts” of alcohol with other teens before the attack.
The teen was on bail for a violent armed robbery and admitted entering the shopping centre with the intent of stealing a car, the court was told.
“He had a black hoodie. He had a surgical mask. He was covering his face,” Cook said.
“He moved towards (Ms White) and brandished his knife. He stabbed her. He didn’t hesitate.
“His motive was to get this car, to show off to his mates and potentially commit other crimes.”
The teen showed limited remorse and presented a lasting risk to the community, he added.
But the teen’s barrister Matthew Hynes pushed for the killer to serve half of a 12-year sentence and be released before he turned 25 because the murder was not premeditated.
“He does need a long period of supervision in the community,” he said.
The teen also pleaded guilty to car theft and three counts of stealing.
Justice Bowskill adjourned her sentencing decision tomorrow.
