Perth man accused of murdering his mother in front of girl faces court 20240604 p5z34b.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Advertisement
Advertisement
This was published 2 years ago

Perth man accused of murdering his mother in front of girl faces court

Aaron Bunch

Powered by

A man accused of murdering his mother during a vicious attack has faced court after a police chase that ended with officers tasering him.

Harley James Jeffries, 33, appeared today in Armadale Magistrates Court in Western Australia.

He is accused of murdering his 61-year-old mother Evette Verney early on Sunday in a home in the Perth suburb of Byford.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Accused killer burned remains after 'plan unravelled': police interview

Mother and grandmother Evette Verney died at the weekend. Her son Harley James Jeffries has been charged with murder.

Evette Verney died at the weekend. Her son Harley James Jeffries has been charged with murder. Supplied

Police were called to the residence about 7am where they found the woman's body after Jeffries had allegedly fled the scene in a car.

Officers later spotted him travelling about an hour north of Perth on the Great Northern Highway near the town of Bindoon, police said.

The patrol tried to stop Jeffries but he evaded the officers and drove for another 100 kilometres before being brought to a stop with a tyre deflation device in the tiny town of Bindi Bindi about two hours north of Perth.

READ MORE: Man who murdered partner by setting fire to her house loses appeal

A man accused of murdering his mother during a vicious attack has faced court. WA TODAY/SARAH SMITH

Jeffries, who was acting aggressively, then challenged police before being tasered and arrested, police said in a statement.

Advertisement

A 12-year-old girl is understood to have witnessed the woman's alleged murder.

Premier Roger Cook described the incident as "a particularly violent and a particularly vicious attack".

"Our hearts go out to that family, but that young girl who actually, at this stage, appears to have witnessed that event must be incredibly traumatised by what she's seen," he told reporters.

Two streets were locked down and it's understood the woman died outside a neighbour's home in Byford, Perth.

A 12-year-old girl is understood to have witnessed the woman's alleged murder. 9News

Advertisement
Advertisement

"I'm so pleased, and once again, absolutely proud of our police force who have managed to apprehend someone."

Jeffries was remanded in custody to appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on July 24 for mention.

National Domestic Violence Service: 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger call triple zero (000).

Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.

email icon

Contact us

Share a tip-off, video or photo with us

Most viewed in Australia

More to explore