TEEN KILLER BEGS VICTIM’S MUM FOR FORGIVENESS AFTER 14-YEAR-OLD ETHAN HOAC WAS KILLED IN RANDOM ATTACK

A teenage boy who took part in the killing of 14-year-old Ethan Hoac has asked the victim’s mother for forgiveness in a letter read aloud in court, more than three years after the teenager was killed in a seemingly random attack in Melbourne, Australia.

The defendant, who was underage at the time of the crime and cannot legally be named, has pleaded guilty to murder.

His apology came during sentencing proceedings in Melbourne, where the court heard how Ethan was targeted by a group of teenagers who had no prior connection to him.

ETHAN WAS WALKING HOME WITH FRIENDS

Ethan Hoac was just 14 years old when he was killed on June 26, 2023.

He had been spending the day in Melbourne and was walking home with friends when a group of teenagers spotted him.

According to evidence reported in court, the attackers were travelling in a stolen Volkswagen Tiguan.

They initially drove past Ethan and his friends before making a U-turn.

The group then launched an attack on Ethan.

The teenagers were reportedly wearing masks and carrying machetes.

A 37-SECOND ATTACK

The court heard that Ethan was struck by the vehicle before being attacked with knives.

More than 30 stab wounds were inflicted during a violent attack that lasted approximately 37 seconds.

Ethan had no known connection to the teenagers who attacked him.

The prosecution case described the killing as a random attack on a boy who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

One of the most disturbing details heard by the court was that the teenagers had been captured on CCTV buying ice cream shortly before the attack.

THE DEFENDANT WRITES TO ETHAN’S MOTHER

During the court proceedings, the teenage defendant’s letter to Ethan’s mother, Annie Huynh, was read aloud.

In the letter, the teenager acknowledged that his words could not undo what had happened.

He wrote that he was deeply sorry for the pain his actions had caused Ethan’s family.

The teenager also said he wanted to make his own family proud and claimed that his time in custody had changed him.

He said he had previously reacted with anger and was learning to control his emotions, think before acting and understand the consequences of his decisions. 

HIS LAWYER SAYS THE REMORSE IS GENUINE

The teenager’s barrister told the court that his client’s remorse was genuine.

According to the defence, the teenager’s feelings of remorse became particularly strong after hearing victim impact statements from Ethan’s family during a previous court hearing in July.

The defence is asking the court to take the teenager’s age, guilty plea, development while in custody and claimed remorse into account when determining his sentence.

The prosecution and the court will ultimately determine the appropriate legal consequences based on the evidence and applicable sentencing law.

ETHAN’S MOTHER SPOKE ABOUT HER SON’S FINAL MOMENTS

Annie Huynh has previously spoken in court about the devastating impact of losing her son.

She described being haunted by thoughts about Ethan’s final moments.

She asked whether her son had called out for her while he was dying.

The grief has remained with the family more than three years after Ethan’s death.

Despite the pain, Huynh has also said she hopes the offenders learn from what they did.

She previously told the court that she wanted them to understand the consequences of their actions and not cause another family to experience the same grief.

OTHER TEENAGERS WERE ALSO INVOLVED

The defendant was one of several teenagers involved in the attack.

Another offender received a maximum sentence of 17 years in prison last year.

A third offender was later found guilty of murder following a trial and is still awaiting sentencing.

The legal proceedings therefore remain ongoing for some of those involved in Ethan’s death. 

A FAMILY STILL LIVING WITH THE LOSS

For Ethan’s mother and family, the court proceedings have brought the details of his death back into focus.

Ethan was only 14.

He had been walking home with friends when he was suddenly targeted by teenagers who did not know him.

His family has spent years dealing with the consequences of a killing that changed their lives in seconds.

The defendant’s apology may now form part of the sentencing proceedings, but for Ethan’s family, the loss of their son cannot be undone.

The case remains before the court as the teenage defendant awaits sentencing.