Guilty Verdict for Cop Who Killed Indigenous Teen in Pursuit: ‘Justice for Jai’ Cheers Erupt as Officer Faces Jail Time
- Policeman Benedict Bryant found guilty of dangerous driving occasioning death over the fatal collision that killed 16-year-old Jai Wright in 2022
- Tragic incident occurred during a police pursuit in inner Sydney, with Jai struck and killed while riding a stolen trail bike
- Jai’s family hails the verdict as a victory for justice, saying ‘this shouldn’t have happened’ and calling for changes in police relationships with Aboriginal people
In a landmark verdict, NSW Police officer Benedict Bryant has been found guilty of killing Indigenous teenager Jai Kalani Wright during a fatal collision in 2022. The 16-year-old died in hospital after suffering serious head injuries when the motorbike he was riding collided with an unmarked police car in Alexandria.
As the guilty verdict was handed down, Jai’s family and supporters erupted in cheers, chanting “Justice for Jai” outside the courthouse. Lachlan Wright, Jai’s father, told reporters that he knew from the day of the accident that this should be the outcome. “From that first day, we were told by a senior police officer that this happened, and a car pulled in front of Jai and caused the collision,” he said.
The prosecution argued that Bryant’s decision to establish a roadblock made it impossible for Jai to manoeuvre around it, creating a risk that the teenager would ride in a dangerous manner to avoid apprehension. Crown prosecutor Phillip Strickland, SC, said that as an experienced police officer, Bryant ought to have known the rider would not stop.
Judge Jane Culver agreed with the Crown’s arguments, saying that all the reasons proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Bryant was driving in a manner dangerous to another person. “The accused so seriously failed to properly manage the vehicle that he created a real danger,” she said.
Bryant’s lawyer, Paul McGirr, said the police officer would appeal the verdict, describing it as “a long way from over.” However, the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) welcomed the verdict, saying it could be the first time a police officer has been convicted over an Indigenous death in custody in NSW.
“It is rare for police officers to face criminal charges when they are involved in the death of a community member, and even rarer for a court to return a guilty verdict,” ALS principal legal officer Nadine Miles said.
The case has sparked calls for changes in police relationships with Aboriginal people, with Jai’s family saying that things like this shouldn’t happen. “Maybe this will happen again, but if things can change in the future, maybe this will be the start of something new,” Lachlan Wright said.