Killer Begs Victim's Mother for Forgiveness After Fatal Attack

A teenage killer who participated in the fatal assault of 14-year-old Ethan Hoac has conveyed a plea for forgiveness to the victim's mother.

Ethan was walking with two friends on June 26, 2023, in St Albans, Melbourne, when he was struck by a Volkswagen Tiguan driven by offenders. The attack continued with stabbing, leaving Ethan with 30 stab wounds and other injuries that proved fatal.

The killer, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to murder in May. Another individual involved was sentenced last year to a maximum of 17 years in prison, while a third offender is awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of murder.

In a Supreme Court hearing, the now 20-year-old killer's letter of apology was read aloud. The letter acknowledged the inability of words to alleviate the family's pain but expressed deep regret for the hurt caused. The killer described the difficulty of facing Ethan's mother and the constant thought of how he would feel if his own mother were experiencing such grief.

The court heard that the killer was actively involved in the assault, which lasted approximately 20 seconds before the offenders fled the scene as sirens approached. Justice Amanda Fox noted that the offender repeatedly kicked Ethan while he was on the ground, emphasizing that the exact perpetrator of the fatal stab wounds was not definitively known, rendering the count of wounds less critical than the collective act.

Within the letter, the youth stated that his time in custody had prompted reflection on his life choices and the person he wishes to become. He expressed a desire to mature, control his emotions, think before acting, and understand the consequences of his decisions.

The defense barrister argued that the remorse expressed was hard-won and began to emerge after the teen heard victim impact statements in July. Prosecutors, however, suggested the apology letter should carry limited weight, viewing it as a development over three years.

Justice Fox acknowledged the genuine remorse but condemned the brutality of the slaying, highlighting that the victims were young boys posing no threat. Ethan's mother, Annie Huynh, previously shared her anguish over not knowing her son's final moments but found comfort in his character and his protective actions towards his friends. She described Ethan as a sweet, smiling boy and expressed a desire for the killers to understand the gravity of their actions and learn from their mistake.

The youth is awaiting sentencing, with the date to be fixed.