A New Zealand man charged over a cold case murder in South Australia has told the court he acted in self-defence, fearing he was going to be raped and killed.
Paul Beveridge Maroroa in Auckland court last year. Photo: RNZ / Eva Corlett
Paul Beveridge Maroroa, 45, has pleaded not guilty to the shooting murder of Robert Sabeckis, but has previously admitted to shooting him during an altercation at a car park at Maslin Beach, in Adelaide, on 13 January, 2000.
Giving evidence today, Mr Maroroa told the court he owed drug dealers $150 and when he could not pay it, he agreed to deliver a weapon to a man known as "Bob".
Mr Maroroa said he met Robert "Bob" Sabeckis at the car park about 1.30am and handed over the gun, which was loaded with two bullets.
"Then he's tapped the gun on my forehead and said 'you're a dumb c---', that's when everything went completely wrong," Mr Maroroa said.
He told the court Mr Sabeckis pointed the gun straight at him and told him to get in the car.
"I froze, 'cause that's, like, a kidnap," he said.
"People don't come back from that, and then he said 'get in the car and pull your pants down'."
Mr Maroroa, who is from New Zealand, appeared to cry in the witness box as he recounted his version of events, saying he feared for his life.
"He was going to rape me. Rape and kill me," he told the court.
Mr Maroroa said he then grabbed the gun off the victim and the pair wrestled.
He told the court two shots went off after the tussle and Mr Sabeckis ended up on the ground, but he was unsure if he had been hit.
"I told him 'if you're hurt, just tell me … if you want me to take you somewhere, just tell me' but he got up, shook his leg and ran at me growling," Mr Maroroa said.
"I grab hold of the gun and point it right at his face and I yell 'it's done, it's over, just f---ing stop', but he didn't stop.
"He ran at me like he was going to grab hold of my throat, that's when I pulled the trigger."
When asked if he had a mind to shoot the victim, Mr Maroroa replied "no".
Mr Maroroa said the victim then fell over onto his back but did not get back up.
"I thanked God that I was still alive," he said.
"My body began to ache and I felt weak … I was trying to catch my breath and reality was starting to sink in when I heard a car coming.
"That's when I ran straight to his car. It was closer to me so I jumped in. The key was in the ignition and I started it up."
When asked why he fled the scene, Mr Maroroa said he did not think anyone was going to believe him.
"I was young, I was black and that wouldn't work in my favour," he said.
"I didn't think people would believe that I was just there to deliver the gun."
The trial continues.
-ABC
