A juror in the trial of a man accused of manslaughter during a Rugby World Cup altercation outside an Auckland bar has been discharged for visiting the scene of the alleged crime.
Kit John Murray is accused of causing the death of Billy Dawson outside Spy Bar in the Viaduct Harbour.
The female juror in the High Court trial in Auckland was relieved of her duties after Justice Patrick Keane learned she had inadvertently been to the site, saying the action could affect her ability to be impartial.
Murray has said it was a split-second act of self defence which resulted in the death of Mr Dawson, not a powerful hook as is alleged.
In court today, Murray admitted he initially lied to police about using his forearm during the incident because "I was tired and I was scared".