Two suspects implicated in the death of Liam Payne are gearing up for a pivotal appeal. Their attorneys aim to reverse Judge Laura Bruniard’s formal accusation, setting the stage for a major trial later this year.
The defense team for the duo, accused of providing cocaine to the One Directon singer prior to his deadly plunge, is expected to contest their pre-trial detention that commenced after their arrests earlier this month. Facing potentially 15 years behind bars if convicted, the two men await an appeal hearing at Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Court in Buenos Aires, scheduled for February 10, following the January judicial recess.
Whether the hearing will be public or private remains uncertain. Amid these developments, it has emerged that Rogelio “Roger” Nores, one of three individuals charged with manslaughter, has added a prominent attorney to his defense.
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Additionally, Nores is pursuing a $10 million defamation suit against Liam’s father, Geoff Payne, in Palm Beach, Florida, alleging Geoff made “misleading false and defamatory claims” in statements to prosecutors in Buenos Aires.
Statements have emerged in the investigation concerning Liam’s untimely death, casting suspicion on Nores, previously thought to be his manager and caregiver. Rafael Cuneo Libarona steps in as Nores’ attorney, set to reinforce Nores’ stance that he never managed Liam or acted as the “guarantor” Judge Bruniard suggested when she indicted him, reports the Mirror US.
He emphasized Nores’ innocence: “My client is not a manager, he is not a nurse, he is not a psychologist, nor a psychiatrist, nor is he dedicated to the recovery of addicts. He is a simple friend in Argentina who helps him in his business affairs.”
He denied claims that Nores was the “guarantor,” asserting: “The lawsuit we lodged in the United States is designed to put things in their place because nowadays it’s very easy to make a bad statement about someone.”
The defense will likely argue Payne understood and voluntarily chose the risks associated with drug usage. Among others charged include Esteban Grassi, hotel’s lead receptionist, and Gilda Martin, head of security.
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Should they be convicted, their stint could stretch from four to 15 years. In a TMZ documentary, Nores came forward advocating for Liam, claiming he was “in good spirits and perfectly balanced” on the tragic day, contradicting any notion of erratic behavior or intoxication pre-fall.
Previously proclaiming his innocence, Nores also refuted allegations of being Liam’s manager, a detail pivotal to the prosecution’s case.
After being drawn into the investigation, Nores said: “I never abandoned Liam, I went to his hotel three times that day and left 40 minutes before this happened. There were over 15 people at the hotel lobby chatting and joking with him when I left. I could have never imagined something like this would happen.”
He continued, underscoring the unexpectedness of the tragedy: “I’ve given my statement to the prosecutor on October 17 as a witness and I haven’t spoken to any police officer or prosecutor ever since. I wasn’t Liam’s manager. He was just my very dear friend.”
Additionally, Nores has stressed in a written statement submitted to the courts that his relationship with Liam was strictly a friendship, stating he “wasn’t Liam’s doctor, lawyer, representative or therapeutic companion.”
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