More Than 100k Of Donations Raised For Cop Convicted Of Jai Wright’s Death

Former NSW police officer Benedict Bryant, who was found guilty of dangerous driving occasioning death of an Indigenous teenager last month, is now receiving large donations to cover legal costs from supporters who believe he was unfairly convicted.

During the incident which took place in 2022, Bryant turned his unmarked police car creating a ‘road block’ at the end of a bike lane, causing 16-year-old Dunghutti boy Jai Kalani Wright to collide with Bryant’s vehicle on the trail bike he was riding.

Wright later died in the hospital after suffering several head injuries from the collision.

Police explained that the bike was allegedly stolen along with a car, which officers had spotted while getting coffee before the accident.

Crowd-funding created by former Police Chief Inspector to support legal fees 

Following Bryant’s conviction last month, a crowd-funding campaign, set up by former NSW Police Chief Inspector Paul Fownes has now raised more than $124,000 in a week.

“Regrettably, we’re finding more and more in this country decisions that are made for racially motivated [reasons] to appease minority sections of the community,” Fownes told Newscorp.

“I feel that [this] was certainly one of those matters that had gone through an appropriate review process internally and externally, and there was no case to be answered.”

“Unfortunately in the world of policing things can happen which are totally unplanned, that’s the nature of the job. I know there would have been no intention or desire to hurt anyone. He is an exceptional police officer, caring for everyone in the community.”

The crowd-funding campaign was set up after a previous fundraiser was pulled down by GoFundMe for violating its terms of service.

As Bryant was not a member of The Police Association of New South Wales (PANSW) at the time of the incident back in 2022, he was ineligible for full support which has left him with significant legal expenses following the case against him. However, PANSW has agreed to fund a portion of Bryant’s legal fees.

Fownes says the amount raised for Bryant so far is a “testament to the fact that the public can’t believe what has taken place… for a police officer doing nothing more than his job and what the community expect”. 

Bryant a “wonderful example” to younger officers

Fownes, who retired in 2022, described Bryant as a highly intelligent and articulate policeman who was committed to creating a better society.

“He’s a wonderful example to junior police,” he said. “He’s the sort of police officer that could go a lot further within policing but has chosen to remain on the front line as a leader and a mentor to young police.”

“A better police officer you will never find,” Fownes said.

It was revealed in court that Bryant followed and later ‘effectively road blocked’ 16-year-old Wright after being told not to pursue the teenager.

Bryant is set to be sentenced in April 2026.