Murder charges have been dropped for two men charged relating to the death of former Rotorua man Diego Hulton in Australia.
The men were charged with murder after 37-year-old Hulton died in hospital days after an incident outside a Perth bar last year. The murder charges have been replaced with serious assault charges.
![Diego Hulton. Photo/file](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/LJJAANSHEQRQ4LBPIWKS5PCOTY.jpg?auth=bf9ec77b3ad9eeb4bd3b2978ec43d9177b294d45b88f4a0c6ba7ea208d4fc51b&width=16&height=18&quality=70&smart=true)
Hulton reportedly was going to his brother's aid when he was allegedly attacked by a group outside the bar on February 3. He took a hit to the head, knocking him unconscious, and died in hospital on February 7.
Hulton, a father of two, was born and raised in Rotorua but moved to Australia six years before he died. His body was brought home to Rotorua for his funeral.