Jarvis Farrier charged with murder of Harrison Geppert as police allege Geppert was being held in headlock when stabbed
Harrison Geppert was being held in a headlock when Jarvis Farrier ran into a street fight and stabbed him once in the back, police allege.
Crime and Court
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HARRISON Geppert was being held in a headlock when Jarvis Farrier ran into a street fight and stabbed him once in the back, police allege.
It will be alleged the little brother of former bikie Ben “Notorious” Geppert and at least one friend were walking down Frascott Ave, Varsity Lakes, when they were jumped by a group of other teens involved in a drug deal.
Farrier, 18, is accused of getting out of one of two cars, running up to Harrison Geppert, 17, and stabbing him in the back while he was being held by another boy.
Geppert allegedly ran from the melee into Frascott Park, before he fell and died in front of the popular fenced-off dog park about 5.30pm on Wednesday.
“We’ll be alleging the accused arrived in Frascott (Ave), near the park, where he got out of a vehicle and stabbed the deceased in the back and as a result of that he has died,” detective acting Superintendent Brendan Smith said yesterday.
“We will be further alleging there were two vehicles in the street. We’re seeking anyone in that immediate vicinity that may have seen two strange vehicles or a group of males that have got out of one vehicle and commenced to assault the deceased.
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Police allege the two carloads of teens fled the scene and Farrier, a former Miami State High School student, went to his parents’ home in Upper Coomera. He turned up at Coomera Police Station late on Wednesday night.
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He was charged with one count of murder at 1pm yesterday.
While the exact motive behind the fatal attack still remains unclear, detectives are investigating an ongoing squabble between a group of teens, inflamed when one group believed the other didn’t back it up in a fight.
Detectives are also investigating whether a dispute over a girlfriend also played a part in the ongoing tension between the groups.
“It’s an ongoing dispute between those two groups of young men … it comes from potentially an earlier dispute where one didn’t back up another and they see fit to carry that dispute on and on,” Supt Smith said.
“It’s two groups of youths who have had a disagreement over something petty. They’ve reacted in a way that has led to extremely tragic circumstances.”
Supt Smith said police believed the teens in the groups were aged 16-17 and detectives were keen to talk to all of those involved in the incident on Wednesday night.
“We know he (Geppert) was with at least one person, but we believe there may have been others and that’s why we’re very keen, to not only have witnesses come forward, but we’d like those males involved in the melee to come forward too.
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“They may not be aware of what the final result of the attack was.
“They’re boys really. We believe they’re between 16 and 17-years-old. They’re kids, the gravity of what’s occurred probably hasn’t struck home yet and we need to stress upon them to come forward and give their version before it’s diluted out there.”
Geppert had come to the attention of Gold Coast detectives in the past month after his alleged involvement in an assault and theft of another teenager’s shoes at a train station.
Supt Smith said it was still unclear if anyone else would be charged.
“It’s unclear, it’s still early days, we’re not even 24 hours into it yet.
“We’ll leave no stone unturned to bring all those involved to face the consequences.”
Ben Geppert, a former Hells Angel bikie, took to the Instagram page of his clothing line on Wednesday night to say he would make the person responsible for his brother’s death pay.
“Rest in paradise Harry Geppert I love you my little brother! I love you more than anything regardless of the things that have gone on in our family your still my blood and I promise I won’t rest till I have made this person pay! (sic).”
Supt Smith was quick to talk down any simmering tension or talk of a reprisal attack.
“There’s certainly no links at all to any outlaw motorcycle gang activity or any historical events that (Ben) Geppert and his motorcycle gang were involved in.
“We have no concerns that he (Ben Geppert) is going to take the law into his own hands and if he even thinks about that, there’s going to be consequences.
“It’s very unlikely there will be any revenge or retaliation amongst that group.”
Farrier will be held in protective custody, the matter will return to court on September 19.
He did not appear in the Southport Magistrates Court to face the charges yesterday.
Farrier’s solicitor Dan Rawlings, of Rawlings Criminal Law, asked for Farrier to be held in protective custody.
“I ask for the recommendation due to safety concerns,” he said.
Mr Rawlings declined to give more detailed reasons.
He said it was not necessary for Farrier to appear in the courtroom. He did not make any application for bail.
Magistrate Joan White agreed to make the recommendation to Queensland Corrective Services to hold Farrier in protective custody.
Police are yet to locate the murder weapon, but have seized a number of items from Farrier’s parents’ home.
A post mortem on Geppert is expected to be completed today.
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