A 15-year-old boy has admitted to manslaughter in the stabbing death of 16-year-old Oscar Hamilton, a Victorian Supreme Court jury heard on Monday. Prosecutors rejected the plea and are proceeding with a murder trial.
Crown prosecutor Erin Ramsay stated that Oscar was killed at Woodgrove Shopping Centre in Melton, west of Melbourne, on September 24, 2024. Oscar was with his girlfriend and friends when the accused, who was 15 at the time, approached him. Ramsay alleged that the accused confronted Oscar over claims made by the accused's former girlfriend, whom he had dated for a week.
The former girlfriend had disclosed allegations of sexual assault by Oscar the day prior to the incident. CCTV footage presented to the jury showed the two youths speaking for approximately one minute before Oscar returned to his friends. The accused then followed, allegedly pushing one of Oscar's friends aside and threatening the group.
According to Ramsay, the accused then called his ex-girlfriend to confirm her claims. Oscar reportedly denied any wrongdoing. The jury was told that the accused then grabbed Oscar by the collar, pushed him, and stabbed him three times in the chest.
Oscar died at the scene despite efforts by his friends and bystanders to provide aid. The accused fled and was arrested later that evening at a friend's home.
During recorded calls from a youth detention center, the accused allegedly expressed a desire to marry his ex-girlfriend. When she did not respond to his messages, he reportedly called her a “bitch” and stated, “even if (Oscar) didn't touch her, I would have done it.” Ramsay indicated that the teenager's anger over the alleged sexual assault was the motive, but the validity of the girl's claims was not for the jury to determine. No mention was made of the girl reporting the alleged assault to the police.
Defence barrister Richard Edney informed the court that his client admits to causing Oscar's death but denies murder. The central issue for the trial will be the accused's intent at the time of the stabbing. The trial is expected to last two weeks.