FAMILY ANGER: Family members, not identified for legal reasons, clash with the media after leaving Perth Children's Court where three teenagers appeared on murder charges. Picture: Kerris Berrington Source: PerthNow
VICTIM: Mandurah man Tauri Litchfield, 28, who was bashed to death in Mandurah on St Patrick's Day this year. Source: PerthNow
THREE teenage boys charged with the bashing murder of Mandurah man Tauri Litchfield have appeared briefly in Perth Children's Court.
The boys, two aged 14 and one aged 15, were in custody and were not required to enter a plea to the murder charge. They were supported in court by family members who sat in the public gallery.
The teens were remanded in custody and will apply for bail on April 4, next Thursday, via video link.
Outside the court, some family members confronted media, yelling abuse at the media with one man spitting in the face of a television cameraman, then dropping his shorts to expose his buttocks.
The teenagers were arrested yesterday after a series of raids across the metropolitan area in connection with the 28-year-old's death in Mandurah, 80km south of Perth, on the night of St Patrick's Day, March 17.
A 15-year-old boy from Mandurah, a 14-year-old boy from Leda and a 14-year-old from Thornlie in Perth's southern suburbs, have been charged with murder.
Several other people taken into custody yesterday were released, however investigations are continuing into whether others may have been involved.
Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan told ABC radio it was shocking to see young kids charged over such a crime.
"It's always a shock to see kids involved in crimes, but I mean this is a very serious crime for a young person to be involved in, so I think we should all be very sad about that," he said."
"You have to ask all sorts of questions about their background and what led them to this type of lifestyle.
"We'll find that out in time no doubt."
Anyone with information they believe could assist this investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Callers can remain anonymous.
Mr Litchfield was found critically injured in a car park on Pinjarra Road, Mandurah on the night of St Patrick's Day with severe head injuries.
He died a short time later in hospital.
A 17-year-old girl was also found beaten, just metres away from Mr Litchfield's body.
Police believe he was at the Brighton Hotel in the hours before the attack with friends and his partner Lisa, who was the last person he spoke to.
Lisa said he had planned to walk home from the bar.
Last week, Mr Litchfield's sister Kirra said her brother had a passion for the outdoors and was like a magnet to those around him.
"My little brother, he was just such an outgoing and charming man. He had such a passion for people and the outdoors, he spent so much time outside and he had this huge enthusiasm that just kind of sprung out of him," she said.
"You can see it in his smile, you'll see it from the photo. Even when it's on a two-dimensional piece of paper, it hits you in the face.
"He was so caring and he was so loving and loved by so many people .... people have come forward and supported us .... it's just been so overwhelming."
Kirra said her brother was an avid surfer and kitesurfer - an all-round adrenalin junkie.
"It was all about the water sports and when he couldn't get in the water then he was trying to create some sort of water sport-esque thing on the land," she said.
"He was a sail-maker, he loved it. When he was a kid all he really wanted to do was get on boats and then he found a job that he could do on boats."
