Three people have been charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of Liam Payne, who was allegedly seen being “dragged into a room” unconscious before falling from the balcony of his home in Argentina earlier this year. and two others were charged with drug trafficking.
The 31-year-old former One Direction singer fell from the third floor of the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16th.
Ministry of Public Prosecution of Argentina confirmed on monday It was announced that three people have been charged with manslaughter, particularly negligent homicide.
They were Payne's friend Roger Nolles, Gilda Martín, the manager of the hotel where Payne was staying, and Esteban Grassi, the front desk manager.
Brian Paiz, a waiter at a restaurant in Puerto Madero, an upscale area of Buenos Aires, and Ezequiel Pereira, an employee at Casa Sur, were charged with drug supply and detained.
Mr Noles, who was said to be Mr Payne's friend and agent during his stay in Argentina, was accused of “derelict”. [Payne] He knew he was unable to take care of himself,'' and was 'well aware of the state of inebriation, vulnerability, and helplessness he was in.''
Martin was in the hotel lobby before Payne's death and noticed that Payne “had ingested various substances and was unable to stand,” according to the complaint.
They also say she “allowed Payne to be taken to the room shortly before his death” and that the balcony there “was a source of danger.” The charges allege she should have kept him safe “in a non-hazardous area, with her, and until medical care could be provided.”
Grassi is said to have “led a group of three people who dragged Ms. Payne into a room shortly before her death.”
Judge Laura Bruniard, president of National Criminal and Correctional Court 34, said: “Bringing Payne to room 310 in the state where he was staying posed a legally unacceptable threat to his life.” .
Bruniard said “testimony collected by prosecutors established that Payne had a history of addiction” and an autopsy confirmed “the presence of large amounts of cocaine and alcohol.”
He was also seen being offered cocaine and alcohol by hotel staff.
The judge said the singer was seen unconscious and being dragged “by three people” and that “the way he was treated shows his defenseless state”.
She said Martin and Grassi were seen outside Payne's hotel room minutes before he was found dead on the restaurant patio.
“Payne's consciousness changed and his room had a balcony. The appropriate course of action was to leave him in a safe place and stay with him until doctors arrived,” Bruniard said. “I, [manager and head of reception] Although he did not act maliciously in connection with the singer's death, it was imprudent to allow him to enter the room. ”
Mr Bruniard also said he believed Mr Payne did not pass out and fell while trying to exit the balcony in an inebriated state “because forensic experts indicated Mr Payne did not lose his balance”.
Forensic experts concluded that Payne fell onto the hotel restaurant patio “without any signs of defense,” hitting the concrete umbrella support post and sustaining multiple injuries to her body, particularly her head. .
Bruniard said Noles “assumed the position of surety in front of the family,” and the footage showed Noles leaving Casa Sur at 4:11 p.m., 50 minutes before Payne's death. was reflected.
After newsletter promotion
She said: “Given the autopsy results, it was clear that Mr. Payne was in a vulnerable state at that point,” and that Noles “could not trust that the rest of the hotel's staff would act appropriately.” . Mr. Noles has been prevented from leaving the country ahead of his trial.
She concluded: [for manslaughter] Although it was not premeditated, it contributed, whether by commission or omission, to the risk that led to Payne's death. ”
Pereira is accused of delivering cocaine to Payne for a fee on October 15th and 16th, and that Payze went to Payne's hotel room between 3:25 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. on October 14. He is accused of giving Payne cocaine twice when he checked in.
“Defendant Payne asked for money at the reception desk while the defendant was in his room,” Bruniard said. Later that morning, Mr Payne is said to have taken a taxi to Mr Paiz's home to pick up more cocaine.
Pereira reportedly received $100 from Payne in exchange for drugs, and on another occasion Pereira drove him to his home to collect more money.
Attorney Fernando Madeo, who is representing Paiz, said his client had taken drugs but denied that Paiz sold drugs. “He said he had met Liam twice. Some of the issues they had in private included taking drugs, but it was true that he had sold drugs to him. Not,” Madeo said.
Madeo said Payze was a “lifelong One Direction fan” who met Payne when they dined at the restaurant where Payze worked and later “got high together,” but that Payze “was not a dealer. ” he said.
Those charged with murder face up to five years in prison, while those charged with drug supply face four to 15 years in prison.
Payne, who is from Wolverhampton in the West Midlands, shot to fame in 2010 when he appeared as a contestant on The X Factor and was chosen as a member of One Direction, one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. It became.
After One Direction announced their hiatus in 2016, Payne released his debut solo album LP1 in December 2019.
