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The court’s decision to convict two men for the murder of Cassius Turvey, a 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy, elicited a powerful shout of “justice” from his mother, Mechelle Turvey. This emotional outburst marked both a sense of relief and unending grief. As she stood before the WA Supreme Court, Ms. Turvey expressed her satisfaction with the verdict, remarking on the intense three months of the trial, and lamented her son’s tragic death, emphasizing that he lost his life for no reason and was relentlessly pursued.
Mechelle Turvey, the mother of Cassius Turvey, leaving the Supreme Court of WA in Perth earlier this year. Source: AAP / Richard Wainwright
“Justice to me will never be served — because I don’t have my son. And he’s not coming back.”
‘I want to thank all of Australia’
“And to the witnesses, most of them young and now scarred for life … they helped my son on the day.”
The trial
A video captured the moment students descended from a bus, coinciding with the passage of a vehicle driven by Palmer. Not long after, following a disagreement, Gilmore split from Palmer and Forth. Prosecutors presented evidence that the group then engaged with Cassius and his friends.
Cassius Turvey died in hospital 10 days after he was attacked in Perth’s eastern suburbs. Credit: AAP
A teenage witness, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the jury he fled into nearby bushland in fear but looked back to see Cassius struck by a man matching Brearley’s description.
Forth told the jury he had no role in the violence, while Gilmore’s lawyer argued she wasn’t present and didn’t share any intent to harm.
A memorial dedicated to Cassius Turvey was unveiled on his favourite day, Halloween, in 2023. Credit: Facebook
The jury ultimately rejected Brearley and Palmer’s defences. They found Brearley and Palmer guilty of murder, and Forth guilty of manslaughter. Gilmore was cleared of all charges relating to Cassius’ death.
Brearley and Forth were also found guilty of assaulting another teenager, and along with Gilmore, of unlawfully detaining that same boy.
‘A gentle giant’
Sentencing has been set for 26 June.
Outside the courthouse, Mechelle Turvey was surrounded by family and friends — the same individuals who had supported her steadfastly throughout the entire, grueling duration of the three-month trial. They remained at her side during the critical final week as the jury came to its decision. Source: SBS News / Christopher Tan
As she stood outside court with her family, Mechelle Turvey said her son’s spirit would live on.
