A Cessnock man acquitted of murder over the stabbing death of his former friend two years ago says he wants to move on with his life after being released from gaol.
Jack Colless has spent his first night as a free man following 800 days behind bars after he was found not guilty of the murder and the manslaughter of Jack Henderson, with a Supreme Court jury finding he acted in self defence.
Mr Colless was accused of stabbing Mr Henderson during a fight outside his John Street home on Anzac Day, 2014.
However, Mr Colless has always maintained his innocence, saying he produced a knife during the altercation and waved it about in an effort to deter Mr Henderson.
"I had no intention of anybody dying - I just wanted to scare him away", Mr Colless told NBN News outside Newcastle Supreme Court after the not guilty verdict was handed down.
However, his relief and excitement soon turned to shock.
As Mr Colless and his parents walked from court, they discovered the windscreen of the family car had been smashed and the roof and bonnet badly dented.
Police are investigating the incident.
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| Jack Colless with his solicitor, Mandy Hull |
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| The Colless Family Car |
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| Jack Henderson Images Courtesy smh.com.au |
