A man charged with manslaughter following the death of Luke Smith in Courtenay Place has been publicly named as Siale Siale, 29. Siale appeared in the Wellington District Court on Monday in connection with the incident, which occurred two weeks ago.
Smith, 21, was taken to the hospital in the early hours of 6 October, but tragically died after being placed on life support, which was later removed. Supporters of Smith gathered outside the courthouse during Siale’s appearance.
Police say the assault took place at approximately 3:15 a.m. outside the old Reading Cinema building on Courtenay Place. Siale has since been released on bail, under conditions that limit his travel.
Smith and his family had emigrated from South Africa earlier this year and settled in Upper Hutt. By last week, $22,000 had been raised to help return his body to South Africa for burial.
Siale is expected to appear in the High Court in Wellington in November.