Nitin Garg’s murder was result of immaturity: Defence lawyer

The lawyer said that despite phone intercepts recording the boy boasting the killing,there was remorse and the unintentional murder was a result of his immaturity and a spontaneous attempted robbery of Nitin Garg’s mobile phone.

Prosecutors have told the court that he discussed a potential alibi with his parents before his arrest.

Justice Paul Coughlan described the case as “desperately sad.” He will be sentenced at a later date.

“It’s a desperately sad case from everyone’s point of view,” Justice Paul Coghlan said adding,”How a young man of this background finds himself here is just sad really.” The boy,whose identity has not been revealed,pleaded guilty to murder in April and is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison.

He stabbed the 21-year-old Garg as he walked to work through a park in Yarraville in January last year.

Garg’s murder sparked outrage in India.

Justice Coghlan said he understood the boy would deny the crime when questioned by police.

“He’s a kid,he did what any of us would have done (at his age)… I grew up in a very,very helpful and loving family but I wasn’t necessarily always just a good boy.”

Prosecutor Amanda Forrester said there is “no evidence of any racial motivation in this crime”.

“This was a pointless act of violence… the offender went out of his house armed with a very serious weapon.”

Justice Coghlan said the propensity of young people to carry knives was a significant concern.

“If he didn’t have the knife it wouldn’t have occurred.”

“Sentencing you is not going to be easy,I must say,” Justice Coghlan said.