Parents of Jack Beasley react to guilty plea by teen who murdered their son
A 17-year-old shuffles into the court room in a dark green tracksuit, black socks and black thongs. In 10 minutes he’ll plead guilty to Jack Beasley’s murder.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A 17-year-old shuffles into the court room in a dark green tracksuit, black socks and black thongs.
The detention centre shoes scuff the wooden floor as a tall teenager sits to await his fate for the killing of Gold Coast teenager Jack Beasley.
The boy’s hair is short and dark, with part of the sides shaved and plaited rats tail at the back.
He sits in the dock of court 12 at the Supreme Court in Brisbane, elbows resting on his knees as he leans forward.
In less than 10 minutes he will plead guilty to murdering Jack, 17, in Surfers Paradise on December 13, 2019.
The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was 15.
He also pleads guilty to two counts of committing malicious acts with intent.
The boy is the youngest of five teenagers accused of being involved in the stabbing death.
In the public gallery Jack’s parents Brett and Belinda Beasley are struggling with tears.
They are flanked by plain-clothed police officers and almost a dozen young adults – friends of Jack – who came to offer their support.
Some wear hoodies or T-shirts emblazoned with JBF, the logo of the Jack Beasley Foundation his family had set up in the wake of his death to fight knife crime.
While the lawyers and judge work out the logistics of sentencing and the trial of three co-accused, bailiff brings a box of tissues to Mr and Mrs Beasley.
The guilty plea comes less than a month after another of the teenagers pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
The boy will not be sentenced until the conclusion of the trial for the other three co-accused.
That trial will start next Monday and it is estimated it will take two weeks.
Judge Martin Burns asks the boy to stand as he starts to formally adjourn the court.
He quickly realises the boy might not be paying attention – the boy’s eyes pointed towards the ceiling.
“Are you looking at me?” Justice Burns asks the boy.
The boy looks down and confirms he is before Justice Burns adjourns the court.
The boy’s lawyers speak to him briefly before he is led out by youth detention centre officers.
As the boy walks out, his father, wearing a short-sleeved shirt, calls out: “I Iove you.”
The Beasleys and their supporters walk out of the courtroom soon after and straight into a conference with prosecutors.
Outside of court, Mr Beasley is asked how his family is coping.
“Struggling,” he replies.
The family will be back in Brisbane next week for the trial of the remaining three boys.
Your ultimate guide to every gun club in Queensland
A new public shooting gallery catering to unlicensed shooters as young as 11 has opened as firearm sports experience a surge in popularity. See our exclusive list of all gun clubs in Queensland.
Big change coming to combat crime in Burleigh
Mayor Tom Tate has revealed details of a dramatic expansion of council efforts to help police combat crime in Burleigh ahead of the start of light rail services in the suburb. Here’s what’s planned.