Robert William Broad appeared in the Launceston Supreme Court for the second day of his trial. He has pleaded not guilty to failing to report a killing. 

Nearly nine months after Mr Clark-Robertson was last seen, his body was found in a shallow grave in the backyard of Mr Broad’s Mayfield home in April 2017.

The accused was grilled about his knowledge of Mr Clark-Robertson’s death when he took the stand.

Crown Prosecutor John Ransom suggested to Mr Broad he knew there was a body in the shed. 

But he repeatedly denied knowing Mr Clark-Robertson’s body was there, despite one of his housemate’s telling him that’s where it was, a court heard.  

Mr Broad also admitted to seeing a spade in his house, but again denied knowing anything. 

The accused became frustrated when Mr Ransom continued to question him about why he didn’t tell someone about what his housemate had told him. 

Mr Broad repeatedly said he thought Mr Clark-Robertson had gone away and he didn’t know anything. 

Defence lawyer Darrell Grey said his client had limited education and learning abilities. 

“I’m a slow learner,” Mr Broad said. 

The accused said he left school at the start of grade 10 and he still struggled to read and write.  

Mr Broad was asked when he first thought something untoward happened to Mr Clark-Robertson and the accused told the court it was when police officers spoke to him in April last year. 

The trial is before Justice Robert Pearce and will continue on Thursday.