Police consider charges over gagged man's death

It could be some time before police decide whether or not to lay criminal charges after a Motueka man was found dead and gagged with duct tape.

Michael James McGrath, 51, a sickness beneficiary and described by police as an alcoholic, was found dead at a Motueka house, 55km northwest of Nelson, on Sunday evening.

He had been "foul-mouthed and disrespectful" during an afternoon drinking session and had allowed his flatmate to gag him as a joke, police said.

They are awaiting further forensic tests following an autopsy yesterday and will not say whether the duct tape contributed to Mr McGrath's death.

They had finished their scene examination and found some "items of interest", Detective John Nicholls of Motueka police said.

They would talk to the crown solicitor and medical experts before making a decision on possible charges, he said.

"There doesn't, on the face of it, appear to be any intention to do anything bad to Mr McGrath but there are certain elements of recklessness involved."

The extent of the recklessness would determine whether charges were laid, he said.

Mr McGrath had moved into the flat with a young couple about six weeks ago and there were five people at the flat when he died, Mr Nicholls said.

Mr McGrath's flatmates were shaken up and "upset at what has occurred at their little flat", he said.

Mr McGrath had lived in Motueka for a number of years, and had an ex-partner and couple of children, he said.

- NZPA