Teens' injuries reveal roles in grocer's death case
Wounds on four teenagers' hands will help detectives determine each accused's role in Van Viet Truong's death.
Van Viet Truong, 60, died from head injuries after teenagers allegedly attacked him in Sunshine on August 1 while he was helping a fellow retailer under assault. One boy, 15, is charged with manslaughter.
The 12-year-old boy and two 14-year-old girls face lesser charges. A magistrate granted police access to photo evidence and hand swabs from the three oldest accused.
The older boy had cuts and red marks on his knuckles; one girl had minor bruising on one knuckle; the other had faint marks on her hand. Police will cross-check this evidence against CCTV and witness accounts.
The youngest boy contested the forensic collection. The group allegedly stole items from a clothing shop and were chased out when Truong stepped in.
Why it mattersPhysical evidence will help prosecutors prove each teenager's specific involvement in the attack that killed a good Samaritan.
