Members of Allen Ball's family thanked Justice Susan Thomas after she acknowledged the anniversary of his death at the High Court in New Plymouth.
They mouthed "thank you" on Tuesday as she remarked it had been two years since Ball was arrested following a family harm incident and later died at Hāwera Police Station in the early hours of June 1, 2019.
Three police officers who were on duty that night have been charged with his manslaughter.
The Crown finished calling witnesses on Monday, and on Tuesday all three Defence lawyers told the court they did not intend to call any evidence or witnesses.
Throughout the trial, the court has heard Allen Ball had consumed at least a litre of bourbon and was unresponsive when six people carried him into the cell.
The Defence says the three officers thought Ball was simply "sleeping it off".
But the Crown says he would have survived if the officers had arranged the appropriate medical care.
Both the Crown and Defence are expected to begin summing up on Wednesday.
The trial is into its third week.
