Singapore—The parents of the Australian man who allegedly killed a 73-year-old Singaporean when he threw a wine bottle off of a high-rise building are seeking clemency for their son, 47-year-old Andrew Gosling, who is facing 5 years in jail for the death of a 73-year-old grandfather of nine, Nasiari Sunee.
According to the accused’s mother, Pam Gosling, “It isn’t like him at all. He’s loving, he’s caring.” She also said her son “hasn’t got a malicious bone in his body.”
For his father, Ian, the incident is “Something completely foreign, something we can’t comprehend,” since their son has always been a considerate, thoughtful man, according to a report in 7news.com.au.
Pam Gosling continued, “We’ll support him all the way. We’ll always be there for him. We just want to get through this, and he’ll get through it because we’re strong and he’s strong.”
Andrew Gosling, who had been in the country for less than one month, reportedly got into an argument on August 18th before he threw the bottle of Polissena Il Boro 2016 wine from his seventh-storey balcony, which hit the head of Mr Nasiari, who was sitting with his family in the barbecue area of his housing block, about to eat dinner.
Mr Nasiari suffered multiple cardiac failures and eventually died the hospital the following day.
However, it took 10 days before Mr Gosling surrendered himself to the police after the police had already combed through the housing block, talking to its occupants and asking for fingerprints.
At the moment, Mr Gosling is said to be in a fragile emotional state and is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation, according to his lawyer, Gloria James, which would determine if the accused is fit to enter a plea.
He is reportedly afraid of revenge from the Muslim community, Ms James added.
In two weeks, a court will decide whether or not he can post bail, but Ms James said he may just choose to stay in jail.
The lawyer said, “There’s a possibility Andrew might not wish to be bailed out. He fears for his safety.”
She added, “He was clearly distraught and was suffering. He trembled and shook as he spoke. He was also in tears as he did not expect his act to cause the death of someone.”
According to Ms James, the throwing of the bottle had been an “act of mischief” on Mr Gosling’s part, and that he was planning on pleading guilty. She also said that she is talking with the prosecutors on the case to reduce the charges to causing death by negligent act.
Ms James also said she hopes he will be allowed to go back to Australia while he waits for his trial, but that would be contingent on the judge’s decision as to whether or not he is a flight risk.
Ms James was uncertain of the reason why he waited so long until he turned himself over to the police. “I believe he did not realise the severity [of what happened], perhaps he was not aware until fingerprints were being taken from residents. Perhaps he was just fearful and had no one to turn to as he was alone in Singapore.”
The legal team for the accused are endeavoring to build its case that Mr Gosling is a man of good character, saying that he turned himself in and that he did not endeavor to leave the country.
Ms James said, “He’s here to take steps and to come clean.”/ TISG
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74-year-old dies after being hit by glass bottle thrown from 35-storey condo