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Byford killing in front of child ‘dreadful domestic violence case’: premier
The man accused of murdering his mother inside her Byford home on Sunday has fronted court.
Harley Jefferies, 33, allegedly bludgeoned his 61-year-old mother Evette Verney to death in the presence of a young child on Sunday evening around 7pm.
Verney stumbled from the Gallipoli Avenue house seeking help from neighbours, but collapsed on the driveway of a nearby property and died.
Jefferies allegedly fled the house in a vehicle and was spotted by police around two hours later.
He was arrested more than 200 kilometres from the crime scene following a police pursuit that ended in them deploying tyre spikes.
“The 33-year-old man, who was acting aggressively, challenged police and a Taser was deployed,” a police spokesman said.
Jefferies appeared in Armadale Magistrates Court on Tuesday, charged with one count of murder.
Wearing a blue forensic jumpsuit and handcuffed, he showed no emotion during the brief appearance.
Byford neighbour Scott Heffernan told 9 News Perth he heard commotion around the time of the alleged killing.
“Just heard a woman screaming around 7pm, and then shortly after that all the police rocked up ... it didn’t go on very long at all, probably 20 seconds or so,” he said.
WA Premier Roger Cook described the incident as a dreadful case of alleged domestic violence.
“Our hearts go out to that family. That young girl who actually appears to have witnessed that event must be incredibly traumatised,” he said.
It’s understood the young child raised the alarm with police.
Blood splatter was visible at the property’s front entry.
Homicide detectives are yet to reveal Verney’s cause of death, or whether a weapon was used in the alleged attack.
In Australia, a woman is killed every four days by someone she knows.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact 1800 RESPECT (1800respect.org.au). Call 000 if you are in immediate danger. Lifeline: 13 11 14.
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Heather McNeill is the deputy editor and chief reporter at WAtoday.Connect via X or email.
Michael Stamp is a reporter for 9 News Perth.Connect via X.