Accused murderer Bradley Scott Purkiss attended the first birthday party of his alleged victim Dwayne Robert Davies' grandson the day after he was the last person to see the tattoo artist alive, the Supreme Court has heard.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Purkiss and Mr Davies' former partner Margaret Anne Otto are on trial for Mr Davies' murder - a charge the pair have pleaded not guilty to.
The jury were shown the video of a police interview in court on Friday in which Mr Purkiss detailed the night when Mr Davies went missing and the days after his disappearance.
Mr Purkiss told police Mr Davies had visited the property to square up debts owed to him with the promise a Harley Davidson motorbike would be delivered as a repayment for a $7800 debt.
He said Mr Davies had instead arrived in Ms Otto's car.
Mr Purkiss said he told Mr Davies he was tired of being used and it was time his friend stood on his own two feet.
He said Mr Davies threw a punch at him and he retaliated with two hits before Mr Davies left upset and said he wanted to kill himself.
MORE FROM THE TRIAL:
Mr Purkiss said Mr Davies had left with a pound of cannabis which would be paid for with another bike.
He said his partner, Jillian Roberts, returned to their Eldersie home some time after and the pair discussed what had occurred before they went to bed.
This is contrary to earlier evidence from Ms Roberts in the trial who said she had not seen Mr Purkiss for at least two days after the night Mr Davies disappeared.
Mr Purkiss said he received a call from Ms Otto at 4am on Saturday and she told him Mr Davies had not returned home.
He said he attended the birthday party of Mr Davies' grandson that afternoon where his friend's absence was discussed with family.
Mr Purkiss told police he later found out Mr Davies' nephew actually owned the Harley Davidson he was set to receive.
He said he believed Mr Davies was taking hard drugs and that he was selling cannabis to pay back debt owed to others.
MORE FROM THE TRIAL:
- Accused murderer used to shoot at Levendale
- Court hears of physical altercation before alleged murder victim was last seen
- Accused killer 'debt-free' after husband's disappearance
- Alleged murderer arranged last minute shooting trip to Levendale
- Dwayne Robert Davies 'obsessed' with television anti-hero Walter White
Mr Purkiss told police he believed that Mr Davies had met foul play.
"I reckon he's pissed off the wrong person," he said in the police interview.
"I reckon he owes someone money for heavy drugs.
"I think something untoward has happened to him.
"I've looked everywhere I can look.
"I feel so guilty because everyone is feeling so bad and who brought that to a head?"
Earlier in the police interview, Mr Purkiss said he believed Mr Davies used their friendship to access cannabis grown in a shed at the Eldersie property.
"(He) comes to my place, sits in my chair, and smokes my dope until it's gone," he said.
The trial before Chief Justice Alan Blow continues.