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A 14-year-old is on trial for the murder of a 16-year-old boy in Melbourne’s north in 2022. The court heard that two youth gangs had been feuding, leading to the fatal stabbing. The victim was ambushed by eight teenagers and brutally attacked, suffering multiple stab wounds and blunt force injuries. The incident was caught on graphic security footage. Prosecutors will attempt to prove that the accused knew his actions were morally wrong. Defense lawyers argue that the accused was not morally developed and did not cause the victim’s death. The trial continues before Justice Rita Incerti. Kristian Silva reported
A court in Melbourne has heard the details of a fatal stabbing incident involving a 16-year-old boy in 2022. The Supreme Court was presented with graphic security footage showing the attack, during which the teenager was ambushed by a group of eight teenagers from a rival gang. The victim, Declan Cutler, sustained multiple stab wounds, blunt force injuries, and died on the footpath. Prosecutors will attempt to prove that one of the accused, a 13-year-old, knew his actions were morally wrong.
The court heard that the incident occurred as a result of tensions between two youth gangs in Melbourne. The group responsible for the attack traveled to a party in Reservoir after receiving information that rival gang members would be present. While Declan was friends with a member of the rival gang, he did not belong to any gang and did not know his attackers.
The graphic security footage played in court showed the brutal nature of the attack, with the attackers repeatedly stabbing, kicking, and stomping on Declan for two minutes. After the attack, the group left the scene, leaving Declan to die on the ground. Police later found a knife in a stolen car used by the attackers.
During the trial, the defense argued that the accused, identified as PM, was not intellectually or morally developed enough to understand the difference between right and wrong. They claimed that he was afraid and merely followed along during the attack, without causing the boy’s death.
The prosecution, on the other hand, will seek to prove that PM intended to participate in the attack and entered into an agreement with others to cause death or serious injury. Due to PM’s age, they will also need to demonstrate that he knew his actions were morally wrong.
The trial continues before Justice Rita Incerti, and both the victim’s family and the accused’s mother have been present in court, emotionally impacted by the footage and the proceedings..
- Melbourne youth gangs
- Fatal stabbing
- Rival gang feud.
