A Buenos Aires court has dismissed charges of criminal negligence against three individuals implicated in the tragic death of Liam Payne, the former One Direction star who fell from a hotel balcony last October. This ruling, confirmed on Thursday, states that the other two defendants will remain in custody as they are accused of providing the singer with illegal drugs.
The Argentine federal appeals court reached its decision on Wednesday, which concluded that Rogelio Nores, an Argentine businessman with dual U.S. citizenship who was accompanying Payne, along with Gilda Martin, the hotel manager, and Esteban Grassi, the hotel’s head receptionist, will no longer face negligent homicide charges. In Argentina, negligent homicide is punishable by a prison sentence ranging from one to five years.
Toxicology results conducted post-autopsy indicated that the 31-year-old Payne had various substances in his system, including alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant at the time of his fall. Prosecutors claimed that Nores had neglected his responsibilities by leaving Payne unattended while he was intoxicated. The court ultimately sided with the defense, agreeing there was no legal or moral obligation for Nores to supervise Payne, particularly as he was outside the hotel when the incident occurred.
On the day of the tragedy, investigators found that both Martin and Grassi had observed Payne in a state of severe intoxication and attempted to escort him to his room. The prosecutors argued that the hotel employees should have prevented Payne from entering his room due to the risks posed by the balcony until he was able to get the necessary medical attention. However, the court maintained that the prosecution did not successfully demonstrate that their actions amounted to unlawful or negligent behavior.
Meanwhile, the remaining defendants, Ezequiel David Pereyra, a former hotel employee, and Braian Paiz, a waiter who served Payne at a local upscale restaurant, will continue to face charges for allegedly providing narcotics to the singer in the days leading up to his fatal fall. Their allegations carry more severe consequences, with potential sentences ranging from four to 15 years, justifying the court’s decision to keep them in preventive detention.
The untimely death of Liam Payne sparked widespread grief among his fans worldwide, highlighting the profound impact the popular boy band One Direction has had on music and culture.
