Mum breaks down as court told of Declan Cutler’s horror injuries after alleged attack by teens

The mother of a Reservoir boy allegedly set upon by a pack of teens has broken down in tears as a court was told of the horrific injuries that killed her son.

The mother of slain boy Declan Cutler broke down in tears as a court heard of the horror stabbing injuries that killed her son, 16, within minutes.

A forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on Declan, allegedly murdered in a frenzied attack by a teenage pack, said his injuries were “not something someone is going to survive for a very long period of time”.

“Are we talking about minutes?” a defence lawyer asked in a children’s court on Tuesday.

“Potentially, yes,” she replied.

Eight teens aged 13 to 17 – who cannot be identified for legal reasons — are facing a committal hearing to determine whether they will face trial for Declan’s murder, in Coburg.

Reservoir teenager Declan Cutler was allegedly murdered in a frenzied attack by a teenage pack.

The court heard Declan suffered four stab wounds with a knife going “completely through the heart — so, in one side and out the other side”.

The pathologist’s description of Declan’s horrific injuries led to his mother, Sam Cutler, crying out in the court.

Sitting with family and Declan’s friends, Ms Cutler dabbed at her eyes with a tissue as the doctor continued to describe his wounds, between three and four centimetres long.

The court heard that all four stab wounds entered a cavity, or a space, in Declan’s chest with a “multitude” of injuries to his lungs and heart.

However, the doctor couldn’t determine which stab wound led to his death.

Further abrasions to Declan’s groin area could have been caused by a flathead screwdriver, she agreed.

Declan had left a party to avoid confrontation when he was allegedly set upon by a group in the street.

The doctor – who also cannot be named for legal reasons – had viewed CCTV of the “very dynamic” attack on Declan and said she couldn’t determine who had delivered the fatal blow.

Police had described the crime as “one of the most violent and brutal attacks” they had ever seen.

Declan had left a Reservoir party with friends to avoid a confrontation when, while he was alone, he was allegedly set upon by a group in the street.

The homicide squad detective who charged the accused told the court there were two allegedly stolen cars linked to the murder investigation, including a Mazda that police say the eight charged teens piled into before travelling to the crime scene.

In the hours before the alleged murder, footage seized by police showed “several” of the group of eight together, “dancing and singing” at an unknown address, and heading to KFC and McDonalds.

The committal returns to a children’s court on Thursday.