A TEENAGER who helped mow down a 14-year-old boy in a car and butcher him to death has begged his victim’s mother for forgiveness.
The killer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, apologised to the mother of his victim in court in , .
Ethan Hoac, 14, was killed on June 26 2023 when a group of youths drove at him in a car while he was walking down a road in the city’s west.
His assailants, who were wearing masks and brandishing machetes, inflicted more than 30 stab wounds on Ethan during a frenzied attack that lasted 37 seconds.
In a letter to Ethan’s mum, Annie Huynh, that was read in court, the killer said: “I know there are no words that can take away the pain you have experienced, and I know there are no words that can undo what has happened.
“But I still wanted to write this letter because I need you to know that I am deeply sorry for the hurt and pain that my actions have caused to you and your family.”
Moments before the sickening attack, the group was captured on CCTV ordering ice cream.
The defendant, who was underage at the time of the offending, has pleaded guilty to one charge of murder.
His letter continued: “I want to move on. I want to make my family proud.
“Instead, I’ve made choices that caused a lot of people pain. Since being away, I believe I’ve matured a lot.
“I used to react with anger, lash out when things don’t go my way. I am learning to control my emotions, think before I act, and understand the consequences of my decisions.”
The killer’s barrister told the court the remorse was genuine, and had emerged after the teenager heard the victim impact statements in court in July.
Ethan, who was walking home with friends after spending the day in the city, was not known to his assailants, the court heard.
The three 17-year-olds drove past the group in a stolen Tiguan before doing a U-turn and launching the attack.
Ms Huynh said in a previous hearing that she was haunted by her son’s final moments.
“I want to know the last moment when he died. Does he call my name or call me to help him?,” she said.
She also said she would pray for her son’s killers.
‘I want them to learn from their mistake and not make another family grieve, like me and my family have,’ she said.
Another of the offenders involved in the attack was sentenced to a maximum of 17 years in last year.
A third offender is still to be sentenced after being found guilty of murder at trial.
