The man who escaped a murder charge for killing interior designer David McNee is appealing the nine-year sentence he was handed for manslaughter of the gay celebrity. Phillip Edwards case was yesterday heard by the Court of Appeal, who have reserved their decision on the matter. A High Court jury found Edwards guilty of manslaughter last September after Edwards' lawyers successfully invoked the “homosexual panic” defence. Edwards was picked up on K Rd by McNee and taken to McNee's home for a paid sexual encounter. Edwards testified that he wasn't gay, and that he “lost control” after McNee touched him. He punched the designer in the head up to fifty times before leaving him to die, choking on his own blood and vomit.
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Thursday, 17th February 2005 - 12:00pm