SICK AND TIRED OF THIS GOVERNMENT, P*** WEAK..! – FAMILY EXPLODES OVER THE D3ATH OF GOOD SAMARITAN VAN VIET TRUONG IN SUNSHINE AS TEENS ACCUSED IN THE CASE ARE RELEASED ON BAIL.
‘P*** weak’: Family explode over death of good Samaritan in Sunshine as teens bailed
A family member has blown up on live TV over the death of a good Samaritan in Melbourne, calling the government “p*** weak”.
The nephew of a good Samaritan who was allegedly killed coming to the aid of a fellow shopkeeper in Melbourne’s west has exploded at Victoria’s “weak” bail laws and called for more to be done to protect people from youth crime.
Hundreds of people turned out on Sunday night in Sunshine, where Van Viet Truong, 60, died last weekend following an alleged attack outside his shop.
Mr Truong was reportedly coming to the aid of a fellow shopkeeper who had chased several youths as young as 12 from her store.
The group had allegedly stolen clothes when the woman, and Mr Truong, gave chase.
A scuffle broke out before Mr Truong was allegedly struck in the head by one of the teens and hit his head on the ground.
He died in hospital last week.
A 15-year-old boy had his charges upgraded to manslaughter last week and was remanded in custody.
‘P*** weak’: Family explodes over response to good Samaritan’s death
The family of a good…
Van Viet Truong died after trying to stop an alleged robbery in Sunshine.
A 12-year-old boy and two 14-year-old girls were charged with assault-related offences and granted bail. The mother of the 12-year-old cried in court when applying to have him released.
Members of the community, including Mr Truong’s nephew Hung, are furious about Victoria’s so-called “tough” bail laws.
“Sick and times of this government, p*** weak,” he told Nine News. “You say Adult Time, Adult Crime, well f***ing do it,” he said.
Victoria introduced Adult Time, Adult Crime laws for serious violent offences allegedly carried out by teenagers. It means that for some offences they will have their matters heard in the County Court rather than a children’s court where sentences are typically less lenient.
Protesters on Sunday braved the rain to hold signs that read “Stronger laws, safer communities” and “Justice for victims”.
“Now my aunty has no husband. My cousins have no father. Manslaughter, what the hell,” Mr Truong’s nephew said.
Van Viet Truong died in Sunshine in Melbourne’s west after coming to the aid of a fellow shopkeeper. Picture: Josie Hayden
Mr Truong was allegedly set upon about 2pm last Saturday.
CCTV footage of the alleged attack shows the retail worker giving chase before a scuffle broke out.
The 60-year-old can be seen pushing one of the youths before he is hit in the head. What happens next is out of view of CCTV cameras.
A 13-year-old boy who was allegedly part of the group was initially charged but further investigations exonerated him and his charges were withdrawn.
Victoria’s Liberal Leader Jess Wilson, who has called on the Government to enforce tougher penalties to help step rising youth crime rates, attended the rally on Sunday.
“That has not happened in the last decade under this Labor government,” she said.
A woman speaking at the rally said she was fearful that someone could be killed for intervening.
Trader Van Viet Truong died after he was attacked by youths in Sunshine. Picture: Supplied
“In the future, your kid that’s standing here. One day he gets bashed, who will step in to help him?,” she asked.
“If I come jump in to help you guys one to (not) get bashed, I get killed too. Because I helped you. This law needs to be changed. Needs to be changed.”
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll laid a wreath last week for Mr Truong outside the Hong Hung grocer where he had worked for 30 years.
“Lives have been ruined — the victim’s life, his family, everyone is grieving,” he said.
Victoria Police Acting Commander Troy Papworth described Mr Truong’s death as a “terrible tragedy”.
“We can’t talk too much about that at the moment because it is an ongoing investigation,” he said.
“We’re committed to working with the community out there in Sunshine, and we’ve got extra patrols out there in Hampshire Road at the moment, working with the community and traders.”
