Verdict has family devastated

The family of a young father killed at a party last year have been left devastated after the man accused of causing his death was found not guilty.

Reginald Sharma, 25, died at a house party on Haughey Ave in Three Kings on August 19 last year.

The Avondale man, described as selfless and cheerful, died on a driveway at the property despite efforts to save him by performing CPR.

Carlos Pula, 23, was charged with manslaughter five days later. He was accused of delivering a single, fatal blow that subsequently led to Sharma’s death.

The defence argued Pula was not the assailant, however, telling the jury he could not have thrown the punch because of an injury to his wrist.

Pula was remanded in custody until the trial began at the end of July. The trial took place over three weeks until the jury of six men and six women returned the verdict of not guilty on Tuesday.

The decision came just five days before the one-year anniversary of Sharma’s death.

The victim’s brother, Alfred Sharma, said he was struggling to accept the jury’s decision. “We are really devastated. The loss of my brother is one thing, but not having answers is just another thing that we have to live with right now,” he said. “It is hard to accept that justice was not served for an innocent man.”

The victim was in a relationship and the couple were expecting a child. Reginald jnr was born two months after his death. Sharma also has a 6-year-old daughter.