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Charges dropped against three people after Liam Payne’s death

The former One Direction singer died aged 31 after falling from a third-floor balcony in Argentina

Liam Payne (pictured) died after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Argentina on October 16

PA Wire

Tina Campbell1 minute ago

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Rogelio “Roger” Nores’ legal representative says the US businessman is “very happy” after manslaughter charges against him were dropped in connection with the death of his friend Liam Payne.

Five people were initially charged over his death. Alongside 35-year-old Nores, two hotel workers have also been cleared by appeal judges.

However, the two individuals accused of selling the Night Changes hitmaker cocaine before his fatal fall remain in prison and still face prosecution and a likely trial.

Nores’ lawyer Rafael Cuneo Libarona had centred his argument to get his client off his manslaughter rap on a rebuttal of prosecution claims he was Payne’s representative and had failed in his duty of care towards him.

Speaking after news of the appeal ruling emerged, he said: ”‘We are happy to have reversed the decision by 360 degrees.

“We have always maintained that Rogelio Nores was not responsible for Liam Payne’s death. He was only his friend and had no duty or legal obligation to ensure his safety.”

The three appeal court judges announced their ruling in a written document published eight days after a hearing at Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Court in Buenos Aires.

Cuneo Libarona, the brother of Argentina’s Justice Minister Mariano Cuneo Libarona, had attempted to overturn lower court judge Laura Bruniard’s December 27 decision to indict five men including Nores.

“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 told the court.

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The other two men now in the clear are Esteban Grassi, the chief receptionist at CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires who made a 911 call moments before Payne died, and its head of security Gilda Martin.

If convincted, they would have all faced between one and five years in prison, although they had been told they could be eligible for suspended jail sentences. Nores was held in Argentina while the decision was made.

After the verdict, Nores told of his relief at having cleared his name in a statement via Daily Mail, saying: “These last few months have been hard but now I am cleared of anything to do with Liam’s death, I am delighted to be a free man and innocent of all charges.

“Liam was my friend and I am so sorry for what happened but as my legal team and I explained to the court very clearly, I had nothing to do with it and I am not in any way responsible.”