WARNING: This article includes the name and image of a deceased Aboriginal individual.
The grieving parents of an Indigenous teenager, who tragically lost his life during a police chase, have implored for their suffering to be considered during the officer’s sentencing.
On Friday, Jai Kalani Wright’s parents conveyed to the Downing Centre District Court how profoundly their existence has been shattered since their Dunghutti son perished while riding a stolen trail bike in 2022.
During the sentencing hearing for Benedict Bryant, whose actions were deemed reckless and led to Jai’s death when he positioned his unmarked vehicle in front of the teen’s path, the parents shared their heart-wrenching accounts.
“The court must understand the impact this has had on me… he was my son, my beacon, and my future,” Jai’s mother, Kylie Aloua, expressed, tears streaming down her face.
“Jai was the glue that kept our family bonded.”
It was standing-room only in the courtroom as family and supporters of both Jai and Bryant packed out the gallery.
Ms Aloua said she did not wish for Bryant to be sentenced to prison time, so his family did not have to suffer the same loss she was feeling.
Judge Jane Culver previously ruled Bryant should have known placing his car there without lights and sirens activated could have caused a collision that posed a serious risk to the 16-year-old.
After colliding with the car, Jai was thrown off the bike and suffered critical head injuries, dying at Prince Alfred Hospital the following day.
Jai’s mother, who still works at the same hospital where he died, said Bryant’s lack of remorse or apology was causing more pain.
“He deserved the chance to learn from his actions,” Ms Aloua said of her son.
Jai’s dad Lachlan also gave evidence of how his son’s death has impacted him.
“He was the second Jai I’ve had to lose … when I was 20, my cousin Jai was murdered,” Mr Wright said.
Jai was meant to be forever.
Bryant’s barrister Brent Haverfield is expected to argue the offence falls at the lowest range of objective seriousness and he should not be sent to prison.
However, crown prosecutor Philip Strickland SC told Judge Culver that Bryant’s driving was dangerous to a high degree.
Mr Strickland said a similar incident two-and-a-half months before Jai’s death, where Bryant parked his car across a driveway and caused a collision, was relevant to his moral culpability.
The verdict likely marked the first time a serving police officer has been found guilty for the death of an Indigenous person in custody or a police operation in NSW, the Aboriginal Legal Service said after the ruling.
Bryant’s solicitor previously indicated he would appeal the ruling at the first opportunity.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
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