Three jailed for random murder of 14-year-old boy in Melbourne

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 02:02 · Archive

Three young men have been jailed for the random murder of 14-year-old Ethan Hoac in Melbourne in June 2023. The attack occurred late one evening in Melbourne's northwest when Ethan was walking with two friends. A stolen car was deliberately driven into him, sending him flying. Two masked teens then jumped from the car and stabbed him repeatedly with machetes, inflicting 30 wounds. The assault lasted less than a minute. He died on the way to hospital.

Two of the attackers, both aged 17 at the time of the offence, were directly involved in the stabbing. One pleaded guilty to murder and was jailed for 17 years with a minimum non-parole period of 12 years and six months. The third man, the driver, was found guilty of murder by jury after evidence showed he had agreed with the others to kill or seriously injure the victim. Now aged 21, he received 18 years with a minimum of 14 years, a longer sentence because he did not receive a guilty-plea discount.

Victorian Supreme Court Justice Amanda Fox described the unprovoked attack as cowardly and the stabbing as ferocious. After the attack, the three drove to a tennis club about 10 kilometres away, where CCTV captured them inspecting the car for damage and re-enacting the stabbing motions.

How it is being reported

• Mum weeps as innocent son's 'cowardly' murderers jailedTwo teenage murderers have been jailed after they ran down a 14-year-old boy before stabbing him to death with machetes in a random attack.The West Australian · 23 Oct, 01:41
• Mum weeps as innocent son's 'cowardly' murderers jailedTwo teenage murderers have been jailed after they ran down a 14-year-old boy before stabbing him to death with machetes in a random attack.Perth Now · 23 Oct, 01:41

In this story: Ethan Hoac · Amanda Fox · Melbourne · Victorian Supreme Court

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