A vigil for Isla Bell, who was murdered in 2024, was held at the State Library of Victoria on May 17.
Police said at the time the 19-year-old had been bashed to death inside an apartment; the attack was caught on CCTV cameras.
Around 350 of Isla’s friends, family and supporters were out in force to protest the prosecutor’s decision to drop a manslaughter charge against the man originally accused of killing her.
The original charge was murder, which had then been downgraded to manslaughter. Recently, the manslaughter charge was withdrawn as prosecutors said they had insufficient evidence for a trial.
Instead, the accused will be charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, a lesser charge.
Isla’s mum Justine spoke of the family’s disappointment. “My mind was prepared for that outcome, because my expectations were low.”
Isla’s grandfather David called on the Victorian Attorney General, Sonya Kilkenny, to intervene and make sure the case goes to trial, saying the man who had been accused of killing his granddaughter should be tried in front of a jury.
Other people then told the crowd about their personal experiences with violence against women. A spoken word poet performed an emotional piece about men no longer being able to stand by and watch.
Sherele Moody from The Red Heart Movement told those who had gathered that three women had been murdered in the three days leading up to the vigil.
Isla’s uncle, Chris, said the justice system did not need reform, but “a fucking revolution”.