If I were in his shoes (and, let's face it, we've all made done things as parents that COULD have turned out horrendously, but for good fortune), I'd be kicking myself into next week. The fact that he's not beating his breast publicly doesn't mean he isn't blaming himself. What he DOES with that is on him. At this point, the thing has happened and there's no changing it--no turning back time. I hope he is able to step up and do the right thing from here. Which would seem to be expressing love and support for his son (to the extent your son will accept it) while he faces the very adult consequences of his actions.