Stacey Pale – who helped cover up Jason Galleghan’s death when he was hit to death by a pair of AirPods in Doonside – breaks down in tears
A woman who helped cover up the violent death of a boy who was fatally struck by a pair of AirPods has tearfully apologized to the teen’s family as she prepares to know his fate.
Stacey Pale, 38, appeared in Parramatta District Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to being an accessory after the fact to grievous bodily harm following the murder of Jason Galleghan at a house in Doonside, Sydney, in August 2021.
Jason, 16, was attacked by a group of adults and minors. The court heard the fatal attack was sparked because a woman who lived in the house allegedly believed he had stolen a pair of AirPods.
Pale is not accused of involvement in the attack and was outside while Jason was beaten in a guest bedroom of the one-story home.
She appeared at a sentencing hearing on Thursday, during which she apologized for lying to police when she first gave a statement on the day Jason was attacked.
Stacey Pale, 38, appeared in Parramatta District Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to being an accessory after the fact to grievous bodily harm.
Jason Galleghan, 16, was killed in a Doonside house in 2021
“I, Stacey Pale, am here today to apologize for not being truthful in my statement,” she told the court as she wiped away tears.
“I came here to apologize, to apologize for what happened to Jason.”
She also apologized for the “grief and suffering” Jason’s death had caused her family.
Pale’s father, George Pale, also made a statement to the court in which he apologized to the Galleghan family for their loss and said he understood why they would be angry and upset.
According to court documents, the attack was filmed and posted on social media, with police saying one video had been viewed more than 170,000 times.
As the assault continued, two neighbors heard screaming and asked Pale what was happening.
“It’s just a family dispute,” she told them.
“Nothing, just a family matter.”
When she first gave her statement to police, she said she saw two people dressed in black and wearing balaclavas running out of the house.
She also told police she heard someone yell, “I feel like something is wrong with Jason” before the triple-0 call.
However, in another statement, she told police she had lied during her previous interview “because she was scared”, according to an agreed statement of facts.
Jason’s mother, Rachel Galleghan, told the court in August that she remained “completely broken” after the loss of her son.
Jason’s mother, Rachel Galleghan, told the court in August that she remained “completely broken” after the loss of her son.
“I was physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted and broken into a million pieces,” she told the court.
She described Jason as “friendly, generous and caring,” with an “infectious laugh” and a “great sense of humor.”
Pale will be sentenced later this year.
