Murder charge dropped over teen footballer’s death
FAMILY member of tragic teenage footballer Patrick Cronin say they are shattered by the decision to drop the murder charge against his alleged killer.
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FAMILY members of teenage footballer Patrick Cronin say they are shattered by the decision to drop the murder charge against his alleged killer.
When he entered the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Monday for a preliminary hearing, Andrew William Lee was charged with murdering 19-year-old Patrick.
But prosecutors dropped that charge and instead replaced it with a single count of manslaughter.
Patrick’s dad, Matt, said he was devastated by the decision.
“We’re extremely disappointed this has happened,” he said.
“Thirteen months ago, Pat went out on a Saturday night. He didn’t choose not to come home. Someone made that choice for him to not come home.
“We don’t agree with it. But we have no control over it. All we know is Pat’s not coming home. And that’s just not fair.”
The possible cause of a brawl that led to Patrick’s death was also revealed for the first time in court.
Five of Patrick’s mates told the court what unfolded on the night of the fatal brawl at the Windy Mile pub in Diamond Creek in April last year.
Joshua Davis said comments yelled at a man about being overweight caused him to go “nuts” and sparked the mass brawl.
Patrick had been at the pub quietly celebrating a football game with his brother Lucas and teammates when he was caught in the middle of the fight.
It is alleged he stepped in as a peacemaker when he was hit from behind.
After the brawl Patrick and three friends walked to the nearby home of friend Ashton Johanssen.
One of the group, Anthony Hopkins, said he didn’t see Patrick get hit during the brawl, but was told about it later.
“He told me that he’d been hit in the temple,” Mr Hopkins said.
“It was a brawl, everyone had copped a whack.”
Mr Hopkins said after getting home Patrick complained of a headache, suspected he had been concussed and had thrown up.
“It’s played out in my head every day since the event,” Mr Hopkins said.
Mr Johanssen said once back at the home Patrick didn’t continue drinking but complained of a headache saying he’d been hit.
He took a paracetamol and went to bed.
He was later taken to hospital where his family made the agonising decision to turn his life support system off two days later.
Friend Jesse Matthews told the court Patrick would never have thrown a punch.
“Patrick had nothing whatsoever to do with the fight,” Mr Matthews said.
Dozens turned out to court hearing with many forced to stand or sit on the floor to watch proceedings.
The preliminary hearing, which is expected to last least three days, continues.
