Queenslanders are backing a petition to change youth bail laws as crowds gather at a vigil for Emma Lovell, who was allegedly stabbed to death by two teenagers on Boxing Day.
The vigil for Lovell was held at Wellington Point near Brisbane this morning, as well as walk of honour for victims to King Island.
Attendees were pushing for “Emma’s Law” to be enacted through a petition, which has 100,000 signatures.
The petition wants the state’s Youth Justice Act to make breach of bail an offence, mandatory minimum sentences and for bail to be denied for repeat offenders.
Two 17-year-old boys have both been charged with murder, attempted murder and entering a dwelling with intent in company, after Lovell was allegedly stabbed to death in her own North Lakes home.
The incident is nearly a year on from the deaths of Kate Leadbetter and Matthew Field, and their unborn child, who were killed while going for a walk on Australia Day by a teenager.
The then 17-year-old was sentenced to six years in jail after the court heard he had been high and drunk when he killed the couple, while driving a stolen car.
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Field’s mum Anne and her friend Julie West, who started the petition, attended the protest and vigil.
“Anne is the grandmother of Miles that she never got to hold,” West told Today.
“Her son was killed by a youth offender that was… on bail.”
West is pushing for Queenslanders to support her cause.
