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WARNING: This article includes the name and image of a deceased Aboriginal person.
The grieving parents of an Indigenous teenager, who tragically lost his life during a police chase, have made an emotional appeal for their suffering to be recognized as the officer involved faces sentencing.
Jai Kalani Wright, a Dunghutti teenager, was killed in 2022 while riding a stolen trail bike. On Friday, his parents shared their heartache with the Downing Centre District Court, emphasizing how their lives have been shattered by the incident.
During the sentencing hearing for Benedict Bryant, found guilty in November of dangerous driving resulting in death, the court heard poignant testimonies. Bryant had parked his unmarked vehicle in the path of Jai’s bike, leading to the tragic outcome.
“The court needs to hear what this has done to me,” expressed Jai’s mother, Kylie Aloua, her voice breaking with emotion. “He was my son, my light, and my future,” she added, underscoring the profound impact of her loss.
“Jai was the child who held our family together.”
It was standing-room only in the courtroom as family and supporters of both Jai and Bryant packed out the gallery.
Ms Aloua said she did not wish for Bryant to be sentenced to prison time, so his family did not have to suffer the same loss she was feeling.
Judge Jane Culver previously ruled Bryant should have known placing his car there without lights and sirens activated could have caused a collision that posed a serious risk to the 16-year-old.
After colliding with the car, Jai was thrown off the bike and suffered critical head injuries, dying at Prince Alfred Hospital the following day.
Jai’s mother, who still works at the same hospital where he died, said Bryant’s lack of remorse or apology was causing more pain.
“He deserved the chance to learn from his actions,” Ms Aloua said of her son.
Jai’s dad Lachlan also gave evidence of how his son’s death has impacted him.
“He was the second Jai I’ve had to lose … when I was 20, my cousin Jai was murdered,” Mr Wright said.
Jai was meant to be forever.
Bryant’s barrister Brent Haverfield is expected to argue the offence falls at the lowest range of objective seriousness and he should not be sent to prison.
However, crown prosecutor Philip Strickland SC told Judge Culver that Bryant’s driving was dangerous to a high degree.
Mr Strickland said a similar incident two-and-a-half months before Jai’s death, where Bryant parked his car across a driveway and caused a collision, was relevant to his moral culpability.
The verdict likely marked the first time a serving police officer has been found guilty for the death of an Indigenous person in custody or a police operation in NSW, the Aboriginal Legal Service said after the ruling.
Bryant’s solicitor previously indicated he would appeal the ruling at the first opportunity.
He will be sentenced at a later date.
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