BREAKING: The family of Vyleen White, a murdered grandmother, is expressing outrage over a 16-year maximum sentence handed to her teenage killer. This shocking verdict was delivered on Thursday by Chief Justice Helen Bowskill at the Queensland Supreme Court, revealing harrowing details of the attack that led to significant law reforms.
The incident occurred in February 2024 outside a shopping centre in Redbank Plains, west of Brisbane. The 70-year-old grandmother was fatally stabbed by a boy, then aged 16, in front of her young granddaughter as he attempted to steal her car. Under current law, the teen will likely be released by late 2033, just before his 26th birthday.
Ms. White’s family was visibly devastated outside the court, with her daughter Cindy Micallef stating, “I was gutted by the sentence. Our lives are upturned forever. She was the foundation of our family.” The emotional toll of this senseless crime is evident, particularly as the family grapples with the nightmare of what Ms. White endured.
The Queensland government is reportedly considering an appeal against the sentence, as Premier David Crisafulli expressed the need for justice, saying, “It’s not acceptable and nothing ever will be for them – and justifiably.” This tragic case has already sparked discussions about the new “adult crime, adult time” laws, aimed at ensuring juveniles face at least 20 years for murder. However, these laws are not retroactive, meaning the teen was sentenced under outdated regulations.
Justice Bowskill, during sentencing, addressed the severity of the crime, emphasizing the “cowardly and callous” nature of the attack. The court learned that the teen inflicted a 17cm deep knife wound, a detail that horrified Ms. White’s family. “We are haunted by her last moments,” Micallef remarked, expressing their collective grief and disbelief.
In the aftermath of the verdict, the family is considering how to honor Ms. White’s legacy by advocating for tougher bail laws for juvenile offenders. They highlighted that the teen was previously on conditional release for three armed robberies, raising questions about the adequacy of the justice system in protecting the public.
Justice Bowskill acknowledged the teen’s remorse for his actions but affirmed the profound impact on Ms. White’s family, stating, “The teen not only took one life but destroyed many others.” The young granddaughter, who witnessed the attack, bravely sought help from bystanders following the incident, demonstrating remarkable courage in the face of horror.
The family is now left to pick up the pieces, with Victor White, Ms. White’s husband of 50 years, lamenting, “There’s no justice when it comes to murder.” The emotional fallout from this case continues to reverberate throughout the community as calls for reform grow louder.
As developments unfold, the public is left questioning the efficacy of current laws and the need for urgent reforms to prevent such tragedies in the future. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.
