Cries of 'it's not over' as bouncers cleared

Two bouncers have been found not guilty of manslaughter by a jury in the High Court at Wellington.

James Stuart Neal and Malaki Christopher Mulitalo were acquitted of having any responsibility for the death of Cedric Joyce, 36, who died outside Blenheim's Copper Bock bar and cafe on July 24, 2005.

Neal was also found not guilty of a charge of assault with intent to injure.

The jury of nine women and three men deliberated for little over an hour before making its decision. Members of Mr Joyce's family yelled "it's not over" when the verdict was given.

The Crown alleged the pair failed to allow Mr Joyce to breathe while trying to restrain him, constituting manslaughter.

Justice John Wild acknowledged the jury's difficult task in finding a verdict, given the strong feeling about the case in the community.

- NZPA