Teen granted bail in Brisbane alleged carjacking murder

A 15-year-old teenager accused of killing a Brisbane man in an alleged carjacking has been granted bail, according to prosecutors. The youth was initially charged with robbery, grievous bodily harm, and murder after the man's death in August. On Thursday, he appeared in the Children's Court of Queensland in Brisbane, where his lawyers successfully argued for his release ahead of a trial.

The group of teenagers, aged between 14 and 17, was arrested in July in relation to the alleged attack of a 27-year-old man in Kelvin Grove. Police say the group allegedly dragged the man from his car, beat him, and stole his ute. The man was allegedly run over while trying to stop them from fleeing his vehicle. The incident was captured on video, which was presented during a previous bail hearing.

The court heard that the teenager, a New Zealand citizen with no criminal history, had an active role in the prolonged and brutal assault of the man. However, his lawyer claimed he was not involved in planning the attack targeting the specific victim and was in the rear passenger seat when he was struck. The deputy director of public prosecutions stated that the video and statements disputed the throwaway comment made that the group intended to "bash a paedophile."

The court heard that an autopsy report was still outstanding, making it unclear whether the man's death was the result of the earlier assault or being flung from the ute. Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Greg Cummings told the court that while the evidence against the teenager's involvement in the violent assault appeared strong, the case for murder or manslaughter was not yet compelling without the results of the autopsy.

Judge Anthony Rafter determined the teenager could be released on strict conditions, including wearing an ankle tracking monitor, adhering to a 24-hour curfew, and not leaving his home unaccompanied by his parents or a representative from the Department of Youth Justice.