A man charged with punching and causing the death of a Sky Television employee in Auckland's Viaduct has pleaded not guilty.
Kit John Murray entered the plea through his lawyer Andrew Speed at the High Court at Auckland today.
Murray is due to stand trial in August.
Mr Speed told the court this morning there could be some pre-trial legal arguments.
He also indicated that his client may challenge statements that his client is alleged to have made to police soon after being arrested.
Murray appeared in court yesterday for a bail hearing. He had been on electronically-monitored bail with a 24-hour curfew until earlier this month.
But Mr Speed said yesterday that the address his client had been staying at was deemed no longer suitable by police.
Police returned Murray to custody on February 8.
Mr Speed said an appropriate alternative had not been found and his client would return to court for another bail hearing in a week.
Sky TV worker Billy Dawson had been with colleagues at the Viaduct during their busy Rugby World Cup coverage on October 7 when he was punched during an altercation at the Viaduct.
The death occurred outside Spy Bar, close to Party Central.
It is understood he suffered a brain injury caused by the force of the punch to his face. He also hit the back of his head when he fell.
He died hours later in Auckland Hospital.
Murray had been charged with assault but police have since upgraded the charge to manslaughter.
Two other men, Mona Christo Feterika and Antoni Te Moko Roger, have been charged with assaulting Mr Dawson.
