Gumleaf
December 7th, 2008, 04:53 PM
06:11 AEST Mon Dec 8 2008
It's been revealed that the mother of a 14-year-old shooting victim has begged police to drop the murder charge against his best friend and alleged killer.
Josef Cruickshank died from gunshot wounds to the face and neck during a sleepover at a rural property in Sydney's south-west on Saturday night.
His 14-year-old mate, who cannot be identified, has been charged with murder after he allegedly shot him and made a frantic triple 0 call to save his life. He's been bailed to report at Campbelltown Children's Court on January 5.
Ms Cruickshank has revealed that she had pleaded with police not to charge Josef's alleged killer, saying she doesn't want a second young life destroyed.
"I forgive him. You cannot blame a kid for an accident like this," The Daily Telegraph quoted her as saying.
Paramedics tried desperately to save Josef after being called to the Silverdale Road property at Orangeville at about 10.15pm on Saturday.
Josef was conscious when ambulance officers arrived but died a short time later of his injuries.
His teenage friend was arrested at the home and taken to Camden police station. He was charged with murder after declining to make a statement to police on legal advice.
Ms Cruickshank said the pair had been friends since they met, and this time a sleepover went tragically wrong.
It's been revealed that the mother of a 14-year-old shooting victim has begged police to drop the murder charge against his best friend and alleged killer.
Josef Cruickshank died from gunshot wounds to the face and neck during a sleepover at a rural property in Sydney's south-west on Saturday night.
His 14-year-old mate, who cannot be identified, has been charged with murder after he allegedly shot him and made a frantic triple 0 call to save his life. He's been bailed to report at Campbelltown Children's Court on January 5.
Ms Cruickshank has revealed that she had pleaded with police not to charge Josef's alleged killer, saying she doesn't want a second young life destroyed.
"I forgive him. You cannot blame a kid for an accident like this," The Daily Telegraph quoted her as saying.
Paramedics tried desperately to save Josef after being called to the Silverdale Road property at Orangeville at about 10.15pm on Saturday.
Josef was conscious when ambulance officers arrived but died a short time later of his injuries.
His teenage friend was arrested at the home and taken to Camden police station. He was charged with murder after declining to make a statement to police on legal advice.
Ms Cruickshank said the pair had been friends since they met, and this time a sleepover went tragically wrong.