Cassius Turvey murder trial prosecutor labels accused killer Jack Brearley a liar
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains an image of a person who has died, used with the permission of their family.
A man accused of murdering Cassius Turvey was a "liar" who had no justification in striking the teenager with a trolley pole, a prosecutor has told the jury which will decide his fate.
Jack Brearley is one of four people accused of murdering the 15-year-old Indigenous boy, who suffered a head injury after being beaten in October 2022 and died 10 days later.
Prosecutor Ben Stanwix has been giving closing statements in the long-running WA Supreme Court trial, during which Mr Brearley has admitted punching the schoolboy but claimed he acted in self-defence after the teenager stabbed him with a knife.
Jack Brearley arrives home on the day he's alleged to have fatally assaulted Cassius Turvey.
(
Supplied: Supreme Court of WA
)
Mr Stanwix said that was not true, but even if Cassius Turvey did cut Mr Brearley with a knife, "good on him", because he was rightfully defending himself.
Mr Brearley and his co-accused Brodie Palmer, Aleesha Gilmore and Mitchell Forth have all pleaded not guilty to murder.
Brearley 'pleased with himself'
Several witnesses have testified they saw someone matching Mr Brearley's description attacking Cassius in bushland in Middle Swan.
Earlier, Mr Brearley denied using a pole to bash the teenager.
Shopping trolleys without handles were found in an alley next to Jack Brearley's home after the incident.
(
Supplied: Supreme Court of WA
)
But Mr Stanwix highlighted a phone call after the incident, during which Mr Brearley allegedly admitted "smacking" Cassius with a pole, describing it as "very powerful" evidence.
"He was laying in the field and I was just smacking him with a trolley pole so hard, he learnt his lesson," the voice in the phone call said.
Photo shows
A young boy wearing a basketball singlet smiles for the camera.
The WA Supreme Court hears testimony from the teenager at the centre of a "love triangle" that sparked a series of events ending in the alleged murder of Perth schoolboy Cassius Turvey.
Mr Stanwix said these were not the statements of a man who was defending himself, but the "words of a man who deliberately beat up a kid and was pleased with himself" and thought it was "pretty funny".
He told the jury Cassius never had a knife, and that Mr Brearley had been cut by another boy at the scene.
The 15-year-old would've been "terrified" after a "pole-wielding maniac just belted one of his mates up the road", he said.
The "mate" Mr Stanwix was referring to was a teenage boy on crutches, who witnesses said was assaulted minutes before Cassius was hit.
Focus on evidence, jury urged
The prosecutor said that "if he did use the knife", it would've been a "reasonable response" from Cassius, who'd been chased some 200 metres away from the earlier confrontation.
Prosecutor Ben Stanwix appealed to the jury to look at the "combined force of the evidence".
(
ABC News: David Weber
)
"He'd already run away," Mr Stanwix said, and "he was still being pursued by an unknown adult with a metal pole".
He said within hours of the incident, Mr Brearley had his hair cut to change his appearance and had "tried to frame an innocent man".
Photo shows
A young man wearing a baseball cap looks down at his phone
One of the four people accused of murdering Perth schoolboy Cassius Turvey takes the stand for the first time to give evidence at his trial in the WA Supreme Court.
Mr Stanwix called on the jury to focus on the "combined force of the evidence" rather than trying to answer every question raised during the trial.
'Stupid boofheads'
He said the accused had for the most part defended themselves by "pointing the finger" at someone else, but the case was "not just a one-man show".
It was "collective stupidity" involving "boofheads" who were "egging" each other on.
Mr Stanwix said they had a "common intention" to find, threaten or attack school-aged children.
Cassius Turvey suffered severe head injuries in the attack and died 10 days later.
(
ABC News
)
The prosecutor said such a group could provide "safety in numbers" and a "warm, comfortable environment" for "really dumb ideas".
In such an environment, getting metal poles to target kids "can seem like genius".
Mr Stanwix's closing submissions are continuing before Chief Justice Peter Quinlan.
Loading
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
15 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Woman killed in alleged hit-and-run in North Lambton, Newcastle
The hunt continues for a teenage driver and passenger who fled the scene of a horror crash in Newcastle that left one woman dead and seriously injured another. Police have now revealed in a tragic update that the surviving woman was pregnant and has since lost her unborn child. The two women were travelling in a Hyundai sedan that collided with a Holden Commodore at the intersection of Newcastle Rd and Arthur St in North Lambton just after 2.40am on Sunday, NSW Police say. Officers had earlier spotted the Holden allegedly being driven dangerously, but did not pursue it due to safety concerns. The passenger of the Hyundai, a woman believed to be aged 55, died at the scene. She has not yet been formally identified. The driver of the Hyundai, a 28-year-old woman, was rushed to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition after being treated at the scene by paramedics. 'Police have since been informed that the woman was 25 weeks' pregnant and has subsequently lost her unborn child,' a NSW Police statement read. The driver and a passengerof the Holden fled the scene before police arrived, leaving behind two teenage girls in the back seat of the vehicle. Both teens, aged 15 and 17, were taken to hospital under police guard. They both remain in serious conditions, police said. Newcastle Rd was closed eastbound following the crash as police established a crime scene. A critical incident investigation is now under way to determine the circumstances leading up to the collision. Police wish to speak to a man in the area at the time of the incident, who they believe may be able to assist with inquiries. He is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance and is believed to be in his late teens, about 165cm tall with a thin build, with brown hair and brown eyes. 'Police are actively making inquiries to locate him and urge anyone with relevant footage or information to come forward,' the statement read. They also wish to speak to a 17-year-old girl, who police believe was sitting in the front seat of the vehicle. Police are urging anyone with information, CCTV, or dashcam footage from the area at the time to come forward. Originally published as Tragic update after woman, 55, killed in hit-and-run in North Lambton, Newcastle
The Advertiser
18 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Truly tragic': woman killed and mother loses unborn baby in horrific crash
Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command." Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command." Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command." Two lives have been lost and many others irreparably damaged after a "horrible" car accident in Newcastle in the early hours of Sunday morning. The crash occurred at 2.40am on Sunday at North Lambton when a white Holden Commodore, allegedly driven by a 19-year-old male, veered onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway of Newcastle Road while travelling west and trying to evade police. The Commodore then collided with a white Hyundai sedan that was travelling east near the Arthur Street intersection. The passenger of the Hyundai, a 55-year-old Indian woman who arrived in Australia only last week to visit family, died in the crash. The 28-year-old female driver of the Hyundai, who was 26 weeks pregnant, sustained serious leg injuries in the two-car crash. The pregnant woman also lost her baby in the crash and is in a serious condition at the John Hunter Hospital. It is alleged that the 19-year-old male driver of the Commodore and a 17-year-old female passenger, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, fled the scene on foot following the crash. Two girls aged 15 and 17 were in the backseat of the Commodore and were treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. Northern Region Commander, acting assistant commissioner Paul Dunstan, said it was a "horrible incident." "What's occurred is truly tragic," he said. "Two women driving around innocently. "One has lost their life; one has lost their unborn child." The crash caused the closure of Newcastle Road eastbound between the Jesmond roundabout and the Croudace Street intersection for the majority of Sunday morning. Assistant commissioner Dunstan said an officer on a motorcycle initially attempted to engage with the Commodore on Newcastle Road when it was noticed to have an incorrect licence plate. The officer followed the sedan for 30 seconds and then turned on its sirens and lights, which caused the Commodore to veer onto the wrong side of Newcastle Road. At that point, it was deemed unsafe to pursue the vehicle. Three to four minutes later, a police car spotted the Commodore on Newcastle Road at the intersection with Croudace Street. "Once again, that vehicle took off on the wrong side of the dual carriageway, travelling against the line of traffic," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "A short time later, police became aware that the Commodore collided with a Hyundai sedan travelling on Newcastle Road." Assistant commissioner Dunstan said the 19-year-old driver is known to police. He is described as being of Indigenous descent, of medium build, 165 centimetres tall and approximately 65 kilograms. Teenage joyrides and dangerous late-night driving have been a growing concern for police in Newcastle over the past year. "I must emphasise that this is not a stolen vehicle at this stage," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "It has not been reported, and we don't believe it's a stolen vehicle. "Joyriding and driving in a dangerous manner are always real concerns for us here in the Newcastle area." A critical incident team from Hunter Valley Police District is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation will be reviewed by the Professional Standards Command and overseen by the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC). "The incident has been determined a critical incident, with independent police investigating what has occurred," assistant commissioner Dunstan said. "That investigation will be subject to oversight from the law enforcement conduct commission and the police professional standards command."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Grandfather pens letter to PM after death in custody
The grandfather of a 24-year-old man who died in custody has drafted an open letter to the prime minister calling on Canberra to step in and address "madness" in the Northern Territory's justice system. The senior Warlpiri leader and kin of Kumanjayi White, who died after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs in May, said justice in the Territory was "in crisis". "Your government in Canberra has total power over the NT," Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, a Yuendumu man, wrote. "The prisons are so full they need private security guards; guards on buses and public housing officers are being given guns - this madness must stop." The letter addressed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese landed ahead of protests in Sydney and Alice Springs on Saturday to demand justice for Mr White. The senior Indigenous leader renewed his call for an independent investigation into the death of his grandson. The family has also been calling for the release of CCTV footage and for the officers involved to be stood down while the investigation takes place. Federal minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, backs an independent inquiry but despite broad support, the NT government has rejected the proposal, saying NT Police are best-placed to investigate the death. Police allege Mr White, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. In his letter, Mr Hargraves demanded immediate action from the Commonwealth, including withholding funding to the NT government until it agreed to an independent probe. "You used this power to take away all our rights, our jobs and our assets with the NT Intervention 18 years ago today," he said. "Now we demand action from Canberra to see that our rights are restored and we are protected from the racist Country Liberal Party government." Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin on Friday, Senator McCarthy said deaths in custody had to end and the federal government was deeply concerned about the issue. The Yuendumu community also lost 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in 2019 when he was shot by then-NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a botched arrest. Mr Rolfe was found not guilty of all charges over the death in 2022. Protesters in Sydney gathered to respond to a policing conference involving the former police officer but the first responders event has since been cancelled, according to the rally organisers. The grandfather of a 24-year-old man who died in custody has drafted an open letter to the prime minister calling on Canberra to step in and address "madness" in the Northern Territory's justice system. The senior Warlpiri leader and kin of Kumanjayi White, who died after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs in May, said justice in the Territory was "in crisis". "Your government in Canberra has total power over the NT," Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, a Yuendumu man, wrote. "The prisons are so full they need private security guards; guards on buses and public housing officers are being given guns - this madness must stop." The letter addressed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese landed ahead of protests in Sydney and Alice Springs on Saturday to demand justice for Mr White. The senior Indigenous leader renewed his call for an independent investigation into the death of his grandson. The family has also been calling for the release of CCTV footage and for the officers involved to be stood down while the investigation takes place. Federal minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, backs an independent inquiry but despite broad support, the NT government has rejected the proposal, saying NT Police are best-placed to investigate the death. Police allege Mr White, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. In his letter, Mr Hargraves demanded immediate action from the Commonwealth, including withholding funding to the NT government until it agreed to an independent probe. "You used this power to take away all our rights, our jobs and our assets with the NT Intervention 18 years ago today," he said. "Now we demand action from Canberra to see that our rights are restored and we are protected from the racist Country Liberal Party government." Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin on Friday, Senator McCarthy said deaths in custody had to end and the federal government was deeply concerned about the issue. The Yuendumu community also lost 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in 2019 when he was shot by then-NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a botched arrest. Mr Rolfe was found not guilty of all charges over the death in 2022. Protesters in Sydney gathered to respond to a policing conference involving the former police officer but the first responders event has since been cancelled, according to the rally organisers. The grandfather of a 24-year-old man who died in custody has drafted an open letter to the prime minister calling on Canberra to step in and address "madness" in the Northern Territory's justice system. The senior Warlpiri leader and kin of Kumanjayi White, who died after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs in May, said justice in the Territory was "in crisis". "Your government in Canberra has total power over the NT," Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, a Yuendumu man, wrote. "The prisons are so full they need private security guards; guards on buses and public housing officers are being given guns - this madness must stop." The letter addressed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese landed ahead of protests in Sydney and Alice Springs on Saturday to demand justice for Mr White. The senior Indigenous leader renewed his call for an independent investigation into the death of his grandson. The family has also been calling for the release of CCTV footage and for the officers involved to be stood down while the investigation takes place. Federal minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, backs an independent inquiry but despite broad support, the NT government has rejected the proposal, saying NT Police are best-placed to investigate the death. Police allege Mr White, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. In his letter, Mr Hargraves demanded immediate action from the Commonwealth, including withholding funding to the NT government until it agreed to an independent probe. "You used this power to take away all our rights, our jobs and our assets with the NT Intervention 18 years ago today," he said. "Now we demand action from Canberra to see that our rights are restored and we are protected from the racist Country Liberal Party government." Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin on Friday, Senator McCarthy said deaths in custody had to end and the federal government was deeply concerned about the issue. The Yuendumu community also lost 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in 2019 when he was shot by then-NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a botched arrest. Mr Rolfe was found not guilty of all charges over the death in 2022. Protesters in Sydney gathered to respond to a policing conference involving the former police officer but the first responders event has since been cancelled, according to the rally organisers. The grandfather of a 24-year-old man who died in custody has drafted an open letter to the prime minister calling on Canberra to step in and address "madness" in the Northern Territory's justice system. The senior Warlpiri leader and kin of Kumanjayi White, who died after being forcibly restrained by two plain clothes officers inside a supermarket in Alice Springs in May, said justice in the Territory was "in crisis". "Your government in Canberra has total power over the NT," Ned Jampijinpa Hargraves, a Yuendumu man, wrote. "The prisons are so full they need private security guards; guards on buses and public housing officers are being given guns - this madness must stop." The letter addressed to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese landed ahead of protests in Sydney and Alice Springs on Saturday to demand justice for Mr White. The senior Indigenous leader renewed his call for an independent investigation into the death of his grandson. The family has also been calling for the release of CCTV footage and for the officers involved to be stood down while the investigation takes place. Federal minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, backs an independent inquiry but despite broad support, the NT government has rejected the proposal, saying NT Police are best-placed to investigate the death. Police allege Mr White, who had a mental disability and was in care, was shoplifting and assaulted a security guard. In his letter, Mr Hargraves demanded immediate action from the Commonwealth, including withholding funding to the NT government until it agreed to an independent probe. "You used this power to take away all our rights, our jobs and our assets with the NT Intervention 18 years ago today," he said. "Now we demand action from Canberra to see that our rights are restored and we are protected from the racist Country Liberal Party government." Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Joint Council on Closing the Gap in Darwin on Friday, Senator McCarthy said deaths in custody had to end and the federal government was deeply concerned about the issue. The Yuendumu community also lost 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in 2019 when he was shot by then-NT police officer Zachary Rolfe during a botched arrest. Mr Rolfe was found not guilty of all charges over the death in 2022. Protesters in Sydney gathered to respond to a policing conference involving the former police officer but the first responders event has since been cancelled, according to the rally organisers.
