WA Court of Appeal rejects Mitchell Forth's bid to cut nine-year manslaughter term

A three-judge panel of the Western Australian Court of Appeal rejected Mitchell Forth's challenge to his nine-year manslaughter sentence for the 2022 murder of 15-year-old Cassius Turvey. The court found that Forth's argument that the term was "manifestly excessive" failed to account for his active encouragement of the chase and his celebratory behavior after the attack, despite not delivering the fatal blow himself. Judges highlighted his substantial culpability in the unlawful pursuit of the teenagers, describing the offenders as "callous" and "lacking empathy."

Co-defendants Jack Brearley and Brodie Palmer received 22-year and 18-year terms respectively. Turvey's mother, Mechelle Turvey, called the appeal process a waste of time and money that forced the family to relive their trauma. While the court acknowledged a letter showing Forth's early remorse, it deemed the sentence appropriate given the gravity of the crime.