Son denies killing father

A 28-year-old man killed his ailing father after a drinking session, a jury was told yesterday.

Shannon Tai, of Weymouth, is on trial in the High Court at Auckland charged with the manslaughter of 47-year-old James Andrew Tai.

Crown prosecutor Anne Kiernan said Tai hit his father in the head and kicked him in the abdomen during an argument in the early hours of last December 11.

She told the jury that the victim was sick with pneumonia, asthma and a heart condition, and it was not alleged that the assault alone caused his death.

She said a pathologist would testify that the assault caused a release of adrenalin, which interfered with Mr Tai's heart rhythm.

"His sick heart could not cope with this additional strain, and he died suddenly."

The trial is before Justice David Baragwanath. Tai is represented by John Cagney and Brenda Donald.