Judge is blasted after five charged over Liam Payne death: Waiter's lawyer slams 'illegitimate' prosecution as three are accused of manslaughter and two with supplying drugs By MARTIN ROBINSON, CHIEF REPORTER and GERRARD COUZENS Published: 05:55 EST, 30 December 2024 | Updated: 05:58 EST, 30 December 2024 e-mail 2 View comments The decision to charge five people in Argentina in connection with One Direction star Liam Payne 's death is 'illegitimate, unfounded and arbitrary', a lawyer for one of the suspects declared today. Judge Laura Bruniard has moved ahead with prosecutions in Buenos Aires of all the suspects in the case including one of the British singer's closest friends, ordering two men accused of drug dealing into custody. Braian Paiz, a waiter who admitted to using drugs, including cocaine, with the singer, has been charged with supplying narcotics for payment.
CasaSur employee Ezequiel Pereyra has also been charged with supplying drugs. Rogelio 'Roger' Nores, who claims he left his close friend Liam at the CasaSur Palermo hotel in Buenos Aires at least 40 minutes before he fell to his death , is accused of negligent homicide, according to respected online newspaper Infobae. Hotel managers Gilda Martín and Esteban Grassi have been charged with manslaughter.
All five have been summoned to appear in court. Mr Paiz's lawyer Fernando Madeo has hinted that he would appeal the judge's ruling and try to delay his client's remand in custody, insisting he is a One Directio.