Manslaughter trial

Press, 23 August 1984, Page 4

Manslaughter trial

PA Auckland A South Auckland man who allegedly hit a friend on the face with his fist will face trial on a manslaughter charge. At a depositions hearing in the District Court at Otahuhu this week, Lusitama Muller aged 29, unemployed, of Mangere, denied committing manslaughter by striking Ka Taimi on May 26, causing his death. Mr Sitefo Muller told the Justices of the Peace that he saw his cousin, the defendant, hit Mr Taimi on the right cheek with his

fist. Mr Taimi fell backwards and the witness rushed up and held him. _ He thought Mr Taimi was fairly drunk and would wake up later. Witness said the Mullers had known Mr Taimi for about 10 years. Francis John Cairns, associate professor of forensic medicine at the Auckland University Medical School, said Mr Taimi’s head injuries appeared consistent with a fall. He considered his death was due to swelling of the brain and hae-

morrhaging after a fall on to the left side of his head. Defence counsel, Mr Peter Taylor, said that at least 24 hours elapsed before the deceased received proper medical attention. He was placed on a bed, but later found lying on the floor. It was possible he had got up and fallen over, said Mr Taylor. Muller was remanded on bail with $lOOO of his own recognisance and two sureties of $3OOO for trial in the High Court on September 23.