Tue 11 Oct 2011 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Denis Phillips 11.30am: The defence for a teenager accused of murdering gay police jailer Denis Phillips has asked jurors to put themselves in the shoes of a 16-year-old boy. Defence lawyer David Jones QC said defendant Willie John Ahsee, now 17, accepts he was the person who fatally stabbed 59-year-old Phillips in the neck on 30 July last year. Phillips’ body was found face down in a pool of blood in his Papakura home on 31 July 2010. Jones reiterated the fact the victim was 59 and his client was 16 at the time of the stabbing. "You have to look at the issues of a 16 year-old in that situation. You have to look at that situation from a 16 year-old boy's perspective. Because it’s his intent, what was going on in his mind, that's fundamental. "When that blow was inflicted, what were the circumstances of that? What was the intent of Mr Ahsee as a 16-year-old at that time?" Jones said the circumstances that confronted Mr Ahsee when he inflicted the wound are fundamental in the trial. He pointed out that under law a person is entitled to use force if they are acting in self-defence and the Crown has to prove murderous intent beyond any doubt. Jones asked the jury to take on board Justice Asher’s request to keep an open mind and listen to evidence as judges of fact. "Do not prejudge anything until you have heard all of the evidence," he asked. During yesterday’s opening argument Crown Prosector June Jelas said Phillips was gay, and was sexually attracted to younger men who he would from time to time make advances to and proposition. She said Ahsee denied any physical or sexual contact with Phillips, but could not remember the circumstances around the stabbing. Jelas has further stated this morning that Phillips “had a liking” for teenage boys and had in the past befriended young men and made advances towards them, including physical touching. The case continues in the Auckland High Court. GayNZ.com's in-court coverage will continue throughout each day of the case.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 11th October 2011 - 10:32am