Published • loading... • Updated
Boy Who Killed Grandmother in Car Jacking Loses Appeal
The court rejected arguments that the 16-year term was excessive and said the sentence set the right precedent for serious youth murder cases.
- On Friday, the Queensland Court of Appeal upheld the 16-year sentence for the teenager who murdered Vyleen White, rejecting his argument that the jail term was excessive for the non-premeditated killing.
- In February 2024, the now 17-year-old fatally stabbed the 70-year-old Vyleen White at a Redbank Plains shopping centre during a carjacking, then pleaded guilty and received the 16-year term in November 2025.
- Defence barrister Matthew Hynes argued the murder was "a case where there is a single stab with fleeting attention," claiming the teen's legal team that the sentence contained a judicial error.
- Following the ruling, victim's daughter Julie Ryan expressed that she felt "mum's life didn't really mean much in the eyes of our system," reflecting family devastation over the appeal process.
- The 2024 crime catalyzed controversial "adult crime, adult time" laws ensuring juveniles face at least 20 years for murder; however, the teenager was sentenced under previous legislation because the laws were not retroactive.
Insights by Ground AI
10 Articles
10 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources10
Leaning Left3Leaning Right4Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution45% Right
Bias Distribution
- 45% of the sources lean Right
45% Right
L 33%
C 22%
R 45%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
