Published Echo News October 28, 2022

On his favourite day of the year, Halloween, 15-year-old Swan View Senior High School student Cassius Turvey will be remembered with a candlelit vigil at Midland Oval, just a few kilometres from where he was fatally bashed on October 13.
Cassius was walking home after school along Patterson Drive, just off Lloyd Street, when a black Ford Ranger pulled up alongside him and some friends.
The car was allegedly being driven by a female whom police have not laid charges on.
Twenty-one-year-old Jack Brearley was in the passenger’s seat.
“It will be alleged that the male exited the vehicle and ran toward the group before assaulting a 15-year-old boy with a metal pole,” detective senior sergeant Stephen Cleal from WA Police said in a press conference earlier this week.
“The 21-year-old man from Middle Swan, previously charged with unlawful wounding, has now had that charge upgraded to murder.”
Cassius spent five days in hospital before being released and sent home.
Hours later he returned to hospital after suffering a seizure and two strokes.
On October 23, he succumbed to his injuries.
There has been an outpouring of grief throughout the community since news of his death was made public and a GoFundMe page has so far raised almost $300,000 to go toward funeral expenses and “the fight for justice for Cassius”.
“We are seeking funds to cover his funeral, legal costs for criminal compensation and justice,” the page read.
News of his death has spread across the country with rallies now being planned in Perth, Geraldton, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and Broome on November 2, as many are now calling for tougher laws for vigilante and hate crimes.
On Wednesday Police Commissioner Col Blanch said Cassius was “an innocent victime of a violent attack.
“He was simply spending time with his friends when he was assaulted,” he said.
Cassius was a member of the Koya basketball community run by indigenous community advocate Cheryl Kickett-Tucker in Midland.
“We are totally devastated of the passing of a bright but humble beacon in our community,” she said.
“Cassius was an absolutely gorgeous human with a smile that lit up the path ahead of him.
“We are going to miss him dearly.”
Police are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the alleged incident to come forward by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Jack Brearley appeared in Midland Magistrates Court on Monday.
“Our hearts (koort) are broken…but our spirit will rise because of Cassius,” Professor Kickett-Tucker said.