Vyleen White death: Teen accused of grandmother’s murder faces committal hearing

The lawyer for the boy accused of murdering 70-year-old Vyleen White at a shopping centre carpark says the teen is “absolutely remorseful” as he is committed to stand trial.

Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre stabbing victim Vyleen White.

The lawyer for the boy accused of murdering 70-year-old Vyleen White at a shopping centre carpark says the teen is “absolutely remorseful” as he is committed to stand trial.

The 70-year-old grandmother was fatally stabbed in the underground car park at Redbank Plains Town Square on Saturday, February 3.

It was alleged the motive for her death was the carjacking of her 2009 Hyundai Getz hatchback, which was later found approximately 20 minutes away.

A 16-year-old boy was charged with murder in the days following, and four other youths were charged with lesser offences including unlawful use of a vehicle in relation to the alleged theft of Ms White’s car.

Flowers in tribute to Vyleen White, 70, at Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The youth was committed for trial on charges of murder, unlawful use of motor vehicles aircraft use and three counts of stealing all from the same day Mrs White was killed.

Magistrate Dennis Kinsella committed him to Brisbane’s Supreme Court after his lawyer Farshad Sarabi, from Hannay Lawyers, conceded there was a prima facie case without requiring the court to examine the evidence.

The youth appeared in court via video with his parents excused from attending after Mr Sarabi said they held safety concerns given the national interest in the case.

“His mother and father didn’t think it was safe and were comfortable with me representing him,” he said.

The 17-year-old was formally charged but was not required to enter a plea.

When asked if he understood the murder charge he said “yeah I understand”.

He remains in detention.

An unrelated charge of common assault remained in the Ipswich Childrens Court adjourned to May 12.

Police at the crime scene after the stabbing death of Vyleen White, 70, of Redbank Plains. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

At the start of the proceedings Mr Kinsella welcomed Mrs White’s family, including her daughter Cindy Micallef and their support workers who attended court.

Outside court Mr Sarabi said his client was “absolutely remorseful”.

“He regrets this,” he said.

Mr Sarabi said it was “ a really tragic set of circumstances for everyone.”

“I’ve said in the past and through my client that there are no winners only losers. Everyone’s a loser in these circumstances, and it’s just really sad for everyone, and I especially feel for the families both the victim and my client,” he said

“(My client) knows the gravity of the situation and fully appreciates why it’s of such national interest.”

Asked if client would be fighting the charges he said

“just procedurally, we don’t indicate a plea just yet, until we reach the Supreme Court,” he said.

Lawyer Farshad Sarabi at the Ipswich Children’s Court. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

Mr Sarabi, a managing partner at Hannay Lawyers, said when his client was required to enter a plea “I’ll take those instructions, and I’m sure, I’m sure he’ll make the right decision”.

Speaking about the youth’s parents not attending court he said “we didn’t feel comfortable having them here just because of the fact that they are innocent people as well”.

“They don’t have a connection to this, and it would have been unfair for potentially any threats against their lives based on the decision of their son,” he said.

Speaking outside court, Mrs White’s daughter Cindy Micallef said as painful as attending court hearings like this was, she wanted her mother’s death to be remembered.

“We’ve managed to affect some change, and it wasn’t wasted. We’re doing what we can to build her legacy, and that’s what it’s about, building her legacy, making sure she’s remembered,” Ms Micallef said.

Vyleen White's husband Victor White and daughter Cindy Micallef at the courts. Picture: NewsWire / John Gass

“At her funeral I said this is going to be a catalyst for change, it won’t be in vain and that’s what we’re doing, and I’ll continue to fight for that.”

Her mother’s alleged murder was one of several high-profile cases across the state that saw both the Labor then LNP state governments toughen youth crime laws.

Ms Micallef attended court with her father Victor White and other family members.

“We’ll keep standing together as a family, supporting each other, supporting other victims as we’ve been trying. It’s a long road,” she said.

“We’ve got to fight. I’ve been a fighter from the very beginning, I was quite a sick child. That’s all I know. And if you’re fighting for someone you love you’re never going to give up.

“We’re all in it for the long haul and we’ll see what happens.”

Despite the show of strength Ms Micallef said “behind closed doors we all fall apart”.

“There’s certainly been a few hard yards been had. We’ve had a week of family birthdays for both my sisters and my young niece tomorrow, birthdays aren’t the same. Life events aren’t the same. Any family occasion just isn’t the same without mum any victim can tell you that,” she said.

The court heard the child defendant’s parents were worried about safety if they did attend court given the large public interest in the case.

Ms Micallef said everyone in the community needs to feel safe and protected, “including his family”.

Referencing the press conference Ms Micallef held with Queensland African Communities Council then-president Beny Bol in the days after her mother’s alleged murder she said “we didn’t want racial tensions and that sort of thing”.

“Everyone needs to feel supported and protected. This isn’t about race. This is about taking a life.”

During today’s hearing crown prosecutor Chris Cook tendered 120 statements and a list of 147 exhibits.

The youth is accused of stealing soft-drink and chocolate from a 7/11, food from McDonald’s and alcohol from Liquorland prior to allegedly stabbing Mrs White.

The proceeding was what’s known as a “hand-up” committal, meaning there was no cross-examinations of witnesses.

At the matter’s last mention, the court heard a number of witnesses may give evidence, and the boy was remanded in custody.

One of the four other youths was sentenced in January to four months probation for being a passenger in Ms White’s car following her death – which he had no involvement in.

Originally published as Vyleen White death: Teen accused of grandmother’s murder faces committal hearing