Cassius Turvey’s accused killers to go to trial in February 2025

A trial date has finally been set for four people accused of fatally bashing the 15-year-old as he walked home from school.

The four people accused of killing Noongar Yamatji schoolboy Cassius Turvey will spend at least another 20 months behind bars on remand as they await trial.

Jack Brearley, 22, Aleesha Gilmore, 21, Mitchell Forth, 25, and Brodie Palmer, 28, appeared in Western Australia’s Supreme Court on Monday morning, charged over the teen’s death.

The four accused all pleaded not guilty over the matter in their last court appearance in May.

On Monday, they were given a trial date of February 10, 2025.

The four people accused of killing Cassius Turvey (pictured) will go to trial in February 2025.

The legal battle is expected to run for nearly two months and conclude on April 7.

The four alleged killers deny murdering 15-year-old Cassius while he was on his way home from school on October 13, 2022, in the eastern Perth suburb of Middle Swan.

He died of his injuries in hospital 10 days after being attacked on a suburban street.

A fifth man, 19-year-old Ethan MacKenzie, also appeared during Monday’s hearing.

He is not charged with murder, but is facing charges of aggravated unlawful wounding and detaining another 15-year-old in relation to an alleged kidnapping incident in the days leading up to the alleged attack on Cassius.

Jack Brearley was the first of the group to be charged in the days following the alleged attack on Cassius Turvey.

Mr Brearley, Ms Gilmore, and Mr Forth have also been charged over their alleged involvement in the incident against the teen, who is not Cassius Turvey. Mr Palmer is not accused of taking part in the alleged kidnapping incident.

Police allege the group stabbed and stomped on the 15-year-old during the attack.

On Monday, state prosecutor Ben Stanwix said the trial of all five people will be complicated and take a significant amount of time.

The group will reappear in the Supreme Court on October 26.

Cassius Turvey’s death prompted an outpouring of grief and anger from First Nations communities and interest groups, as protests held around the world called for justice.

Mother of Cassius Turvey, Mechelle (left) embraces Emily Farmer during a rally for her son in November 2022. Picture: Matt Jelonek/Getty Images

Of the four alleged killers, Mr Brearley has been in custody on remand for the longest period. He was arrested and charged a short time after the alleged attack.

Ms Gilmore, Mr Forth, and Mr Palmer were charged with murder in January this year.

Cassius’ mother, Mechelle Turvey, and supporting family were present in court on Monday.

Ms Turvey in early January revealed she was taking on an unpaid advisory role with WA Police.

Originally published as Cassius Turvey’s accused killers to go to trial in February 2025