- Charges dropped against Liam Payne's friend
- Two men still face trial over cocaine supply
- Payne died in hotel balcony fall
A Buenos Aires appeal court has overturned manslaughter charges against Rogelio “Roger” Nores, a friend of late One Direction star Liam Payne, and two hotel staff members. The three were charged in December, two months after Payne’s death, but judges have now reversed the decision.
Payne died in October after falling from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires. Nores, who was accused of failing in his duty of care towards the singer, has maintained that he was only Payne’s friend and had no legal obligation to ensure his safety.
Following the announcement, Nores told Rolling Stone: “Glad this is finally over. I’m happy I’m now going to be able to travel to the UK and say goodbye to my friend.” His lawyer, Rafael Cuneo Libarona, added: “We have always maintained that Rogelio Nores was not responsible for Liam Payne’s death… He was only his friend and had no duty or legal obligation to ensure his safety.”
The two hotel staff members, Gilda Martin and Esteban Grassi, who were also charged, will no longer face prosecution. However, two other men, Braian Nahuel Paiz and Ezequiel David Pereyra, who are accused of supplying cocaine to Payne, remain in prison and face possible prison sentences of between four and 15 years if found guilty.
Prosecutors have the option to appeal against the decision to overturn the charges, but have not yet indicated whether they will do so.
