Perth, Australia – Trae Black, 29, narrowly escaped death after being intentionally hit by a workmate driving a ute in City Beach, a suburb of Perth. The assailant, 25-year-old Matthew William Lawson, not only ran over Black’s leg severing it but also proceeded to attack him with a hammer. Fortunately, a passing doctor intervened and provided crucial first aid that ultimately saved Black’s life.
Lawson appeared in Perth Magistrates Court and confessed to attempting to unlawfully kill Black. The altercation between the two men erupted at a construction site and escalated into a violent chase that ended in the horrific incident on West Coast Highway.
According to Superintendent Manus Walsh, members of the public who witnessed the attack played a critical role in saving Black’s life by administering immediate medical assistance. The severity of Black’s injuries required him to be admitted to Royal Perth Hospital, where he currently remains in intensive care in a critical but stable condition.
West Australian Premier Roger Cook condemned the attack as “heinous, ugly, and violent.” He expressed shock over the extreme brutality displayed in this crime, deeming it as one of the most physically violent acts imaginable.
During his court appearance, Lawson, sporting a white singlet that exposed his heavily tattooed arms, opted against seeking legal guidance before admitting guilt. Despite the seriousness of the charges, he refused Magistrate Janelle Scutt’s recommendation to obtain legal advice and declined to undergo pre-sentence and psychiatric evaluations.
Lawson’s decision not to seek bail resulted in him being remanded in custody until his next court appearance at Stirling Gardens Magistrates Court on August 21. The ongoing legal proceedings aim to hold him accountable for the senseless and vicious attack on Trae Black.