KEY POINTS:
A jury has cleared a Motueka fisherman of the manslaughter of a man he admitted died during an altercation at his home.
Scott Anthony Harting, 31, was charged with the manslaughter of Bart Phillipson, 44, on October 20, 2006.
A High Court jury of six men and six women took two hours to reach their verdict and clear Mr Harting, the Nelson Mail reports.
The family of Mr Phillipson left the court soon after the verdict was reached, while Mr Harting first hugged a crying family member, and then shook lawyer Barry Hart's hand.
The court had heard Mr Phillipson was killed by a blow or blows to the head at Mr Harting's Whakarewarewa St home on October 20, 2006.
Mr Harting said he had hit Mr Phillipson once in self-defence and the victim had fallen down and hit his head on concrete.
Before sending the jury out, Justice Alan MacKenzie spoke to them for half an hour.
He said while Mr Phillipson's death was a tragic event and emotions had been raised through the trial, the crown needed to prove a homicide had taken place, and that the death was caused by an unlawful act.
Justice MacKenzie said the crown also needed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the defendant was not acting in self-defence and the force used had been unreasonable.
Speaking outside the court, Mr Harting said it had been a long process and he was relieved it was all over.
- NZPA
