Madison Butler charged with murder of 18-year-old father in Palmerston

‘We’re waiting for justice’: Family of slain teenager watch as an 18-year-old alleged murderer faces court.

The grieving family of a teenager brutalised in his own neighbourhood have pledged to see justice unfold as his alleged killers face court.

Madison Butler, 18, was charged with the murder of an 18-year-old man whose body was found outside a vacant home at Driver, on Saturday October 8.

Madison Butler, 18, was one of four people charged after an 18-year-old man’s body was found bloodied and beaten on a Palmerston driveway.

Butler was expected to apply for bail in Darwin Local Court on Friday, however defence lawyer Courtney Marthick said her application was withdrawn.

Police have alleged Butler, alongside her mother Melissa Jane Clancy, 37,20-year-old Dechlan Wurramarra and a 17-year-old boy fatally assaulted the young father in the early hours of Saturday, October 8.

Melissa Jane Clancy, 37, was charged with murder after an 18-year-old man's body was found outside a vacant home at Driver, Palmerston on October 8.

His body was found at sunrise outside a vacant home near the corner of Waterhouse Crescent and Driver Ave.

Detectives established a six-hour window between midnight to 6.30am when the alleged murder occurred.

Judge David Woodroffe adjourned Butler’s murder hearing to January 11 for a preliminary examination mention.

The 18-year-old was also charged with obtaining benefit by deception and her matter will return to court on November 21 for a directions hearing.

Moments after stepping outside of the courtroom, the young man’s step-mother Kylie Simmonds burst into tears and draped her arms around supporters.

Madison Butler, 18, was charged with the murder of an 18-year-old man whose body was found outside a vacant home at Driver, on Saturday October 8.

Ms Simmonds said she was disheartened that the 18-year-old alleged killer appeared via a prison video link.

“We’re waiting for justice,” Ms Simmonds said.

She said she wanted to be there on behalf of her children, all the family members and for the 18-year-old’s other mother and his father.

Ms Simmonds waited more than five hours to see Butler’s mother and murder co-accused Clancy, appear in court on Tuesday.

“It was intense and difficult, but I felt lighter when I left,” she said.

A single tear rolled down her cheek as she described the support for her family.

Ms Simmonds said the entire community had rallied around them, with prosecutors and police keeping them informed about the ongoing investigation.

The mother of a slain 18-year-old man Kylie Simmonds was teary as she spoke outside Darwin Local Court. Madison Butler, her mother Melissa Jane Clancy, 37, 20-year-old Dechlan Wurramarra and a 17-year-old boy have been charged with murder.

“I have no words — it’s beautiful,” she said.

She said the family was raising money for the funeral, with any additional donations to go to his 11-week-old daughter and her mother.

“It’s just hard for the whole family, everyone is coping so well, all things considered.”

But her next words broke the grieving mother.

Speaking through tears she said: “We just want him home.”