Striking someone in the head can have catastrophic consequences
In Perth, a young man accused of fatally striking Labor figure Tim Picton has been released on bail, setting in motion one of the law's oldest tensions: the presumption of liberty against the weight of grief. Brodie Jake Dewar, 20, allegedly punched Picton in Northbridge on December 27, causing a fall that proved fatal three weeks later — one of two alleged assaults he committed within 48 hours over the Christmas period. A judge, acknowledging the family's fierce opposition, nonetheless determined that strict conditions could hold the risk in check, leaving the Picton family to reckon with an outcome the courts permitted but their hearts could not.
- Two men struck in the jaw within 48 hours — one on Christmas Day in Kalamunda, one two days later in Northbridge — trace a pattern that only became visible after Tim Picton died in hospital three weeks after the second encounter.
- Picton's family opposed bail with force, yet the prosecution itself declined to contest the release, creating a painful gap between institutional process and personal loss.
- The defence argued the case was strong but not airtight, pointing to disputed circumstances around the alleged assault and suggesting the accused believed he was acting protectively.
- Justice McGrath granted bail while naming the stakes plainly: a punch to the head that sends someone to the pavement can have catastrophic consequences — as this case has already proven.
- Dewar now lives under a web of conditions — home detention, a nightly curfew, an alcohol ban, random drug testing, and a $30,000 financial undertaking — with his next court date set for March 18.
A Perth judge has granted bail to Brodie Jake Dewar, 20, charged with the manslaughter of Labor figure Tim Picton — a decision handed down over the strong objection of Picton's family. The two men crossed paths in Northbridge on December 27 in a brief confrontation that ended with Picton struck in the jaw, falling to the pavement, and striking his head. He died in hospital roughly three weeks later.
The court heard that Dewar had allegedly been involved in a near-identical incident just 48 hours earlier. On Christmas Day in Kalamunda, he allegedly punched another man in the jaw under similar circumstances, causing the same kind of fall. Police were initially unaware of that assault — the victim had no memory of it — and only connected the two incidents after Picton's death.
In the Northbridge case, Dewar reportedly extended his hand as if to shake Picton's before delivering the punch, later claiming he was defending his cousin. A Snapchat video from around the time of the Kalamunda incident captured him in what his defence described as a protective posture, though the circumstances remain contested.
Justice McGrath acknowledged the gravity of the outcome — noting that strikes to the head can have catastrophic consequences — but concluded that bail conditions could manage the risk. Those conditions are extensive: Dewar must live at his parents' home, observe a 7pm to 5am curfew, abstain from alcohol, submit to random drug testing, surrender his passport, and provide a $10,000 personal undertaking backed by a $20,000 surety. He is due back in court on March 18, as the manslaughter charge and the questions it carries move slowly forward.
A Perth judge has released a 20-year-old man accused of killing Labor figure Tim Picton, granting bail despite fierce objection from Picton's family. Brodie Jake Dewar faces a manslaughter charge in connection with Picton's death on December 27, when the two men had a brief confrontation in Northbridge that ended with Picton struck in the jaw, falling to the pavement, and hitting his head. He died in hospital roughly three weeks later.
Justice Joseph McGrath approved the bail release on Tuesday, imposing a dozen strict conditions on Dewar's freedom. The prosecutor, Justin Whalley, acknowledged that while Picton's family strongly opposed bail, the state itself did not contest the decision. Dewar's defence lawyer, Simon Watters, argued the case against his client was strong but not overwhelming, particularly regarding the circumstances of the alleged assault.
The court heard evidence of a troubling pattern. Within 48 hours in late December, Dewar allegedly struck two separate men. On Christmas Day just after midnight in Kalamunda, he allegedly punched another man in the jaw, causing him to fall and strike his head on the pavement. Police did not initially charge Dewar for that incident because they were unaware it had occurred, and the victim had no memory of the attack. Only after Picton's death did authorities connect the two assaults and bring charges for the earlier incident.
In the Northbridge case, the court heard that Dewar and Picton had a verbal disagreement before Dewar extended his right hand as if to shake Picton's hand, then punched him in the jaw. Dewar later claimed he was protecting his cousin. A Snapchat video recorded by Dewar around the time of the Kalamunda incident captured him saying "don't hit on my younger sister" and "keep snoring," suggesting a defensive posture, though the defence lawyer hinted the alleged victim may have been holding something at the time.
Justice McGrath emphasized the gravity of the injuries. He noted that striking someone in the head and causing them to fall can have "catastrophic" consequences, as Picton's death demonstrated. Yet the judge determined bail conditions could adequately manage the risk.
Those conditions are substantial. Dewar must reside at his parents' home and observe a strict curfew from 7pm to 5am. He cannot contact the alleged Kalamunda victim, must surrender any passport, and cannot leave Western Australia. He is banned from consuming alcohol and entering licensed premises, and faces random breath and drug testing. He has been ordered to provide a personal undertaking of $10,000 and a surety of $20,000.
Dewar is scheduled to appear in Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on March 18. The case will continue through the courts as the manslaughter charge proceeds, with the family's grief and the questions surrounding the two alleged assaults remaining unresolved.
Notable Quotes
Within 48 hours, Mr Dewar had struck two separate persons at Kalamunda and Northbridge— Justice Joseph McGrath
The prosecution has a strong case but it's certainly not an overwhelming case— Defence lawyer Simon Watters, regarding the Kalamunda incident
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why would a judge release someone accused of killing a public figure, especially against the family's wishes?
The law doesn't give families veto power over bail decisions. The judge has to weigh whether the accused poses a flight risk or danger to the community. Dewar has ties to the area—his parents live here—and the judge imposed conditions meant to manage risk.
But he's accused of two violent assaults in two days. Doesn't that suggest he's dangerous?
It does suggest a pattern, and the judge acknowledged that. But bail isn't about guilt or innocence—it's about whether someone can be safely released pending trial. The conditions are meant to prevent further harm: curfew, no alcohol, no licensed venues, random drug testing.
Three weeks. That's how long Tim Picton lived after being hit. Why does that matter to the bail decision?
It shows the severity of what happened. The judge specifically noted that hitting someone in the head can have catastrophic results. That's why the conditions are so strict. But it also means Picton's death is already a fact—bail conditions can't change that outcome.
What about the family? They opposed this.
Their opposition was heard and noted. But the prosecutor didn't contest bail, and the law requires the judge to apply a legal standard, not family preference. That's a hard thing for a grieving family to accept.
So what happens next?
Dewar lives under these conditions while the case proceeds. If he breaches any condition—misses curfew, drinks, contacts the other victim—he goes back into custody. The real test comes at trial, where the evidence will be examined fully.