Footballer Sam Davis died after King-hit to the back of the head
15 May 2008 | Andrew Dowdell, Court Reporter, The Advertiser SA
BUDDING football star Sam Davis died after being king-hit in the back of the head at a party, the Adelaide Magistrates Court has heard today.
Prosecutor David Plater told the court the 17-year old South Adelaide footballer died from a single punch inflicted by Hallett Cove man Heath Arthur Clake.
Clake, 18, is charged with manslaughter and today failed in a bid for release on home detention bail.
Mr Plater said Clake had breached a curfew imposed on separate criminal charges by gatecrashing the party at Brighton on May 3.
"The defendant had attended the party uninvited with various friends and companions of his," Mr Plater said.
"He had not been asked to attend this party ... and there was an argument between the accused and the victim over a quite innocuous issue, it would seem."
The court heard that some time later, Clake attacked Mr Davis "without any suggestion of provocation or self-defence".
"Later in the evening, it would appear that the accused confronted the deceased and struck him with a single, forcible blow to the back of his head, causing him to fall to the ground," Mr Plater said.
The prosecutor urged Magistrate Joseph Baldino to refuse Clake bail on a number of grounds, including the gravity of the alleged offence and fears he could re-offend.
Defence lawyer Tracee Micallef said Clake would plead not guilty to the manslaughter charge and that he would be in custody a long time before trial.
Mr Baldino declined to grant bail and remanded Clake in custody to appear in court again next month.
More than 1000 people attended a funeral service for Mr Davis at Reynella on Tuesday.
The popular Woodcroft College student had kicked five goals for South Adelaide's under-19 team just hours before he received the fatal injuries.
His family has established the Sammy D Foundation, which will aim to help in the education of young people in schools and sporting clubs.
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