Inside Supreme Court as verdicts read out for three accused over teen Jack Beasley fatal stabbing

After more a month deliberating it took Justice Soraya Ryan three minutes to read her verdict on the teens accused of being involved in the stabbing death of Jack Beasley.

After more than a month deliberating it takes Justice Soraya Ryan just three minutes to read her verdict on three teens accused of being involved in the stabbing death of 17-year-old Jack Beasley.

There is not a single seat free in courtroom seven in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Thursday.

Brett and wife Belinda sit in the front row, just off to the side – they are less than 10 metres away from where the three accused sit.

Jack Beasley Foundation logo. The foundation campaigns against possession of knives.

Moments earlier, Brett had held up his hand with his fingers crossed as he walked into court.

One of the accused wears a hoodie with the words “Muslim Pride Worldwide” which he takes off just before court proceedings start to reveal a blue and white stripped button down shirt.

Ma-Mal J Toala was wearing a zip-up black jumper and the third defendant a grey hoodie.

Ma-Mal J Toala was 18 at the time of Jack’s death outside the Surfers Paradise IGA about 8pm on December 13, 2019. The other two accused were 16.

Behind the trio, their families sat. Prior to the two on bail taking their place in the dock, the family members were spotted wishing them luck. All three of the accused had pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and two counts of grievous bodily harm and maintained their innocence during a week and a half long trial in May.

Brett and Belinda Beasley talking to Gold Coast Bulletin on Thursday on the Supreme Court verdicts after their son Jack Beasley’s death. Picture: Jerad Williams

Just prior to the start of proceedings, about 20 supporters of the Beasleys file into the courtroom. They include Gold Coast Police Superintendent Rhys Wildman, Bonney MP Sam O’Connor, family, Jack’s friends and detectives who worked on the case.

A police officer made sure boxes of tissues were available to family members. Some are directed to the courtroom next door where the proceedings will be live streamed.

The courtroom is quiet until Justice Ryan arrives.

“This trial was all about whether any of these three defendants could be held criminally responsible for the unexpected knife violence of their accomplice,” she said.

Flowers, hand written notes and other items left by the friends of Jack Beasley at the scene of the tragedy outside the Surfers Paradise IGA. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

Then one by one she asked each defendant to stand, going through each of the three charges.

As she pronounced the first not guilty, Brett and Belinda start to cry. One supporter, who appeared to be in his 20s, leant forward in his seat, his head in his hands.

Justice Ryan went through the same process, acquitting Toala and the other accused. She announced she would publish her reasons.

The 15-year-old who held the knife pleaded guilty to murder in early May. A 17-year-old who pushed Jack at the start of a fight pleaded guilty to manslaughter in April. Justice Ryan asked the lawyers to determine a time they were available for sentencing.

Then the case was adjourned and people started to file out of the gallery. As Justice Ryan left the courtroom, the three accused started to turn towards their families. Each had looks of relief and small smiles on their faces.

Brett, Belinda and many of their supporters were still crying and they hugged as they left the courtroom. Jack’s parents quickly went into a room to speak with prosecutors and police.

Some friends came down and waited outside the courthouse. They hugged and comforted each other.

Brett and Belinda soon led their supporters outside the courthouse. Brett only stopping briefly.

“We are absolutely gutted,” he told media. He paused, appearing to struggle. “We just need some time,” he said.

Follow @leae