Victims of violence deserve better

“THAT’S what we came here for.” That’s what one of the cowardly thugs who set upon David Cassai and his mates on December 31, 2012, yelled as they ran away from the scene of the crime.

David Cassai’s mother Caterina Politi only learnt of Corrections Victoria’s decision through a reporter at Channel 7. Picture: David Caird

“THAT’S what we came here for.” That’s what one of the cowardly thugs who set upon David Cassai and his mates on December 31, 2012, yelled as they ran away from the scene of the crime.

The vicious, unprovoked attack left Cassai dead and his friends with serious injuries including a fractured jaw.

Those responsible for the violence, Dylan Closter, Thomas McCluskey-Sharp and Tryone Russell received the sort of pitifully lenient sentences that destroy the community’s faith in the judiciary.

Closter, who threw multiple punches and chased Cassai to deliver the final, fatal blow and reportedly “bounced on his feet like a boxer over his victim’s body” copped the stiffest sentence; nine years and three months with a six year minimum.

But this month we learned that the killer, who is yet to apologise to David’s family, has since April been regularly leaving prison to train and play footy with Rushworth Football Club.

It’s a development that has devastated Cassai’s family particularly his mother, Caterina Politi, who only learnt of Corrections Victoria’s decision through a reporter at Channel 7.

“To me he really hasn’t served his punishment, and that really is a dagger in my heart,” said Politi who points out that her son suffered “a sustained attack”, not just a single punch.

“He’s in a minimum security prison, it’s like a caravan park. How can someone who killed a person and never showed remorse be in a minimum security prison?”

Read full piece here.