Man cleared over Denham death

A Geraldton jury took only two and a half hours today to acquit a man charged with assaulting another man, either directly or indirectly causing his death at Denham on January 1 last year.

Brendon Anthony Garic Bellottie had pleaded not guilty to the charge, which arose from an incident at the Heritage Resort after New Year celebrations in which Blake Dowding died.

The trial, before Judge Ron Birmingham in the District Court, took 10 full days, with the jury retiring to consider its verdict at 1.30pm.

By 4pm Mr Bellottie was released and joined the family and supporters who had sat with him throughout the trial.

Mr Dowding’s family and supporters also sat through the trial, with both groups packing the public gallery every day.

The court was told Mr Bellottie and Mr Dowding had an altercation about 1.45am on January 1, 2013.

Mr Bellottie said he had reacted to a punch he had received from Mr Dowding and walked away, returning when police arrived at the scene.

The prosecution argued Mr Bellottie’s punch was hard enough to cause Mr Dowding’s heart to stop, and he died at the scene.

The defence presented arguments of self-defence and provocation, and contended expert witnesses at the trial had not established the link between the punch and Mr Dowding’s heart stopping.

Outside the court, Mr Bellottie said he did not want to comment on the verdict, but just be with his family.