King in court over death

The former co-owner of Shapeshifters bar, Kevin Robert King, has been named as the man charged with manslaughter over the death of Blenheim man Matt Heagney.

King, 49, appeared in the Christchurch District Court yesterday and was released on bail under strict conditions to appear in the Blenheim District Court on December 7.

Mr Heagney, 24, died several hours after being injured in or outside the bar about 2.40am on August 23.

Witnesses have said a scuffle ensued as King and a bouncer led Mr Heagney from the premises. In the course of the struggle, Mr Heagney landed on the concrete footpath, injuring his head.

He was taken to Wairau Hospital but died before 7am.

King's charge sheet read: "Having undertaken to eject Matthew Patrick Heagney from the premises of Shape Shifters Bar, [he] was under legal duty to prevent injury dangerous to life, omitted without lawful excuse to discharge that duty, such omission causing the death of Heagney and thereby committed manslaughter."

Police agreed to King's release on bail to a Hillsborough, Christchurch address.

Tim Fournier appeared as duty solicitor for King during two brief appearances that settled the remand date for the Blenheim court.

Judge Jane Farish ordered that during the remand, King must stay at his present address in Hillsborough, must not contact 11 named witnesses, and must report to the Christchurch Central Police Station five times a week. He will also have to surrender his passport.

He is allowed to travel to Marlborough only to see his lawyer or attend court, and must tell the police of his travel arrangements in advance. While in Marlborough, he has a 24-hour curfew wherever he is staying.

- NZPA and Fairfax

- The Marlborough Express