Context:

Two men have been found guilty of the murder of Cassius Turvey, a 15-year-old Aboriginal schoolboy, whose death in October 2022 sparked protests across Australia. The attack occurred after the men, part of a vigilante group, pursued Cassius following a series of unrelated events, including vandalism to one of the men's cars. Cassius was severely beaten with a metal pole, leading to fatal head injuries, while another accomplice was convicted of manslaughter, and a woman present was acquitted. Cassius' mother expressed mixed emotions of relief and ongoing grief, emphasizing the loss of her son despite the verdict. The case reignited discussions on racial discrimination in Australia, with national and international attention focused on the incident and its implications for Indigenous communities.

Dive Deeper:

• Cassius Turvey, a 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy, was attacked and fatally beaten by a group of men acting as vigilantes, leading to his death from head injuries after 10 days in the hospital.

• The perpetrators, Jack Steven James Brearley and Brodie Lee Palmer, were found guilty of murder, while another accomplice, Mitchell Colin Forth, was convicted of manslaughter following a 12-week trial.

• The attack on Cassius was linked to a series of tit-for-tat events unrelated to him, initiated by damage to Brearley's car, which led the group to target children in the area, ultimately confronting Cassius and his peers.

• The incident provoked widespread national grief and anger, prompting protests and vigils across Australia, as well as in the US and New Zealand, highlighting longstanding racial tensions.

• Cassius' mother, Mechelle Turvey, expressed her gratitude to supporters and trial witnesses, acknowledging the ongoing impact on young witnesses and emphasizing her son's positive contributions to the community.

• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese suggested the attack was racially motivated, despite this not being argued in court, further fueling discussions on racial discrimination in Australia.

• Cassius was remembered as a beloved community member, who along with friends, had started a small business aimed at challenging negative stereotypes about Aboriginal youth.