Pete Doherty Threatened With Legal Action Over Party Death

Relatives of a man who died at a party attended by Pete Doherty have stated they may sue the star and two of his friends if police fail to press charges against them.

Matt Blanco died after falling off a first-floor balcony in December 2006, just after an argument with Doherty and his friends. Now family members have warned they will seek a private prosecution if police do not act.

Metropolitan Police in London requested a private meeting this week with Blanco's family at the Old Bailey, the Observer reports. They may inform his mother, Sheila, if prosecutions are likely.

Michael Wolkind QC, representing the Blanco family, said that they were not hopeful. "Throughout their investigations, the police have suffered a severe allergy to finding crime, even though it is clear Mark was unlawfully killed," he said. "This week we will find out if they have overcome their shyness to prosecute."

Blanco attended the party at the East London flat of art scene figure Paul Roundhill to invite Doherty to see his staging of the Dario Fo play 'Accidental Death of an Anarchist.' He left following a confrontation with the singer, Roundhill and Doherty's minder, Johnny 'Headlock' Jeannevol. Not long after, he was found dead, having fallen from the balcony outside.

CCTV images showed Doherty stepping over Blanco's body, and the rocker and some friends later trashed a hotel room. At first, police believed Blanco had jumped to his death, though a coroner ruled out suicide and rejected accidental death.

Test commissioned by the family, following fundraising supported by comedians Jimmy Carr and Jerry Sadowitz, reveal Blanco did not protect himself when he fell. Doherty, Roundhill and Jeannevol deny any wrongdoing.

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