A jury has been discharged after failing to reach a verdict at the trial of a NSW pizza shop owner who said he acted in self-defence when he fatally punched another man on the Central Coast.
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George Joseph Habkouk, 50, pleaded not guilty to assault causing the death of Haydn Butcher outside a hotel during New Year's celebrations in January 2018 on the basis of self-defence and defence of another.
The defence claimed Habkouk floored Mr Butcher five seconds after the 30-year-old stranger "coat-hangered" his young female employee, but the Crown contended his response wasn't reasonable in the circumstances.
The NSW District Court jury retired on Wednesday after a one-week trial but was discharged by Judge Jonathan Priestley on Friday afternoon after being unable to reach a verdict.
Habkouk remains on bail and his case will return to court for mention on March 29.
Australian Associated Press
