Queenstown manslaughter charge

James Smith. Photo supplied.
James Smith. Photo supplied.
A charge of manslaughter has now been laid over the street death of Queenstown father of two Mark James Smith.

Mr Smith (47) was knocked unconscious at the Camp St taxi stand last Thursday and attempts to revive him at the scene were unsuccessful.

A 34-year-old man, who has name suppression, appeared in the Queenstown District Court last Friday charged with assault and was remanded in custody.

He will appear in the Invercargill District Court tomorrow to face a charge of the manslaughter of Mr Smith.

Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Blackie Blackie said "a large proportion of the initial enquiries have now been completed and the investigation team has been reduced from 25 staff to a core of several detectives headed by Detective Sergeant Grahme Bartlett of Queenstown."

He again thanked those members of the public who have provided information to police and added that "the great response from the public had allowed investigators to make rapid progress."

About 500 mourners gathered on Tuesday for Mr Smith's funeral.

He is survived by his wife Fiona, who works at Queenstown Primary School, and two sons, Callum (19) and Lincoln (11).

 

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