Napier man walks free after murder charge

Napier teenager Tyson Bennett has been cleared of a murder charge over the death of Paul Carrodus. File photo / NZ Herald

After two days of deliberation, a Wellington High Court jury has found Napier teenager Tyson Bennett not guilty of murder, or of manslaughter.

The seven men and five women returned its unanimous verdicts after deliberating for five hours yesterday, and a similar period today.

Bennett, 19, went on trial on June 7 over the violent death of beneficiary Paul Robert Carrodus at Napier on October 6, 2009.

Mr Carrodus, 46, died of head injuries in Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital four days after a series of beatings at a Napier flat.

Bennett was one of several people celebrating the birth earlier that day of his flatmate's son.

Mr Carrodus, a friend of the flatmate's family, had been part of the drinking and cannabis "spotting" over several hours, during which repeated fighting broke out.

- NZPA