A good Samaritan grocery store owner was allegedly beaten so viciously he changed colours and bubbling sounds could be heard coming from his mouth.
Van Viet Truong, 60, died from serious injuries after he tried to help a fellow retail worker and was allegedly set upon by a group of youths at Sunshine in Melbourne’s west on Aug. 1.
Two girls allegedly involved in the deadly attack, both aged 14, were granted bail in a children’s court on Aug. 7.
A pair of boys, aged 12 and 13, appeared in the court already on community release.
A fifth youth, a boy aged 15, who has been charged with Truong’s manslaughter, appeared via video link from custody and did not apply for bail.
The five accused had entered a clothing shop when they allegedly stole items and ran, the court was told.
When a worker chased the group and tried to retrieve the clothes, the youths allegedly circled the employee before unleashing a barrage of punches to their head.
Another witness tried to step in and was struck in the face.
Truong attempted to come to the pair’s aid before the group allegedly turned on him.
The eldest boy is accused of dragging the shopkeeper down to the ground, causing a “cracking sound” when his head hit the pavement, the prosecutor said.
The boy and others allegedly repeatedly struck Troung while he was down, with a witness reported seeing the shopkeeper “changing colours and not moving” and “bubbling” sounds heard coming from his mouth.
The alleged attack continued for several minutes as witnesses “begged” for them to stop before one of the youths yelled “run, run” and they fled, the court was told.
The Hong Hung Asian Grocery store owner was rushed to hospital in an induced coma.
He died on Aug. 5 after his life support was turned off.
Police arrested one of the teens at a McDonald’s, three at a nearby street and another at home.
The two girls were granted bail on Aug. 7 after police did not oppose release, having deemed the pair were not an unacceptable risk to community safety.
In granting bail to one, the magistrate accepted the girl’s young age, the fact her “judgment may be significantly impaired by her age,” a lack of criminal history and her potentially limited role in the alleged offending.
The magistrate also bailed the second girl, taking into consideration her Aboriginal heritage and lack of a criminal history.
The prosecutor asked for the 13-year-old boy to return to court in a fortnight, when a decision will be made on whether to drop his charges.
“Some evidence has come to light which indicates the young person may be exonerated,” she said.
The eldest boy will next face court on Aug. 28 while the youngest is slated to return on Sept. 11.
Truong has been remembered as a pillar of the community, a generous supporter and a kind friend.
Floral tributes have been growing outside his Hampshire Road store, a mainstay on the strip for more than two decades.
A note on the shop’s roller door indicates it will be closed indefinitely.
By William Ton in Melbourne
