Richard Vincec pleads guilty to manslaughter over death of Jaiden Walker
A YOUNG father who killed a young man who he claims refused to shake his hand during a Melbourne night out says he will never forgive himself as he pleaded guilty in court.
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A YOUNG father who killed a young man who he claims refused to shake his hand during a Melbourne night out says he will never forgive himself.
In the Supreme Court of Victoria, Richard Vincec, 26, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Jaiden Walker, 22, after a night at the Cherry Bar in ACDC lane.
Mr Walker died a week after he was hit to the side of the head and fell to the pavement with a “deafening” crack outside the Chanel store in Russell St.
“As a father myself, I could never imagine the pain I’ve put your family through,” he wrote to Jaiden’s family in a statement read to the court on Monday, adding that he prayed for his victim after learning he was in hospital.
“I wish I could turn back time; I wish I could take it all back.
“I wish I could ask for forgiveness, but I will never forgive myself.”
Vincec’s barrister Robert Richter QC asked the court for “mercy” in sentencing, stating his client had not struck a “heavy blow”.
The lawyer said because Mr Walker — whom he described as having a “thin skull” — was intoxicated, he had fallen hard without bracing.
The victim’s grief-stricken father Jon Walker also read a victim impact statement to the court, crying as he described his son as “just a nice, quiet young man who was always willing to lend a hand”.
He cries every night as he sits by his son’s photo and a small box containing his ashes, he added.
Jaiden’s mother Heidi told the court her son would have been happy to know he helped others by donating his organs, apart from his eyes “because they were just too beautiful”.
Vincec, who has been on bail throughout most of the proceedings, was remanded in custody until Justice Peter Riordan sentences him.