A New Zealand man acquitted of murdering his house guest in Australia is relieved at the verdict.
A Brisbane Supreme Court jury this week took less than five hours to acquit David William Van Praagh, 37, of both the murder and manslaughter of Grant Latemore, 40, in March 2010.
Mr Van Praagh, a former Aucklander, had held Mr Latemore in a headlock, causing his death after the pair argued.
The defence successfully argued he acted in self defence.
Mr Van Praagh was relieved at the verdict, the New Zealand Herald reported.
His father William Van Praagh said the past two years had been "absolute hell" for his son and he was disappointed it had even gone to trial.
"The Supreme Court judge said David had a full and complete defence to the charge, why the [director of public prosecutions] didn't investigate it further we will never know."
His son had a new job, after losing a salesman job because of the trial.
"We're all just very relieved that David can now move on and live his life," he told the paper.
"Someone has died in this and we have not lost sight of that, but it really was just a tragic accident."
NZN