Thomas Kelly Murder [Point-by-Point Details]: Suspect Faces Court, Cameraman Gets Attacked
An 18-year-old male faced the court Thursday over allegations that he had king-hit Thomas Kelly on July 7. The suspect made his first court appearance a day before Kelly's scheduled funeral.
Outside the the Burwood Local Court, commotion broke out after a cameraman was attacked by someone in the crowd.
Here is a look back into the murder of Thomas Kelly:
- Thomas Kelly, from Bowral, was walking with his girlfriend and a female friend while talking on his mobile phone at Kings Cross when someone bashed him, knocking to the ground. He struck his head as a result of the fall.
- Kelly finished high school at The King's School last year. He was busy taking up an accounting cadetship while also studying commerce at Macquarie University at night. He was out for a friend's birthday when he was believed to have been randomly attacked.
- The fatal attack happened at around 10pm on July 7. Two days later, Kelly's parents had decided to take him off life support.
- Kieran Loveridge, 18, from Seven Hills, was arrested at 7.30pm local time at a sports field in Belmore on Wednesday.
- Loveridge has been charged with Kelly's murder. He is also being charged for the bashing of three other men in Kings Cross on the same day of that Kelly was attacked. His alleged series of attacks gave police enough clues during the investigation.
- The defence lawyer for Loveridge asked to schedule a hearing for a bail application for July 25 in the same court.
- Speaking at a press conference Thursday morning, acting Commissioner Catherine Burn said Kelly's parents were relieved over the arrest.
"I really pay my respects to the family. They have been unbelievably strong and dignified at such a time of terrible, terrible tragedy for them," she said.
The Thomas Kelly Tragedy on Nine's "60 Minutes"
The heartbreaking story of Thomas Kelly's death was featured on "60 Minutes" on Sunday. Some of the viewers who saw the documentary posted these tweets:
@MrSamMac: So angry watching the Thomas Kelly story. Seemed like a great kid from a great family. I hope they find the low-life responsible ASAP.
@Wippa: In tears watching the Thomas Kelly story on 60mins. An absolute waste of life that's destroyed a family. Hope they find that gutless prick.
@carolinemarcus: Absolute tear-jerker interview with Thomas Kelly's parents on #60Minutes. Hope they get the justice they so deserve.
Attack on the cameraman
Meanwhile, a young man believed to be a supporter of Loveridge was arrested Thursday not far from the court where Loveridge appeared.
Channel 9 cameraman Mario Conti was doing his job when the crowd of reporters saw him fell to the ground after an assault. He was almost motionless on the footpath before ambulance came to rush him to the hospital. Police later arrested the alleged attacker, who is believed to be a supporter of the murder suspect.
Thomas Kelly's funeral is being arranged for Friday.