Accused murderer Joshua Josef Barker spent the first 50 minutes of his police interview saying he didn't remember hitting anything with his Ford Ranger ute.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But as the two officers gave a description of alleged victim Dale Watson, Mr Barker said: "Actually nar, I did hit something. I did hear a thud."
Mr Barker, of Kings Meadows, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Watson during an alleged hit-run on Knox Street at Prospect Vale on March 9 last year and assaulting Timothy Bumford shortly after.
On the fourth day of the trial, Mr Barker's one-hour interview with police, conducted on March 10 last year, was played to the Launceston Supreme Court jury.
THE TRIAL
- DAY 1: Catastrophic injuries caused during
- DAY 1: Family planned health intervention for day of alleged murder
- DAY 2: First responders to alleged hit-run give evidence
- DAY 3: Brother 'lost' after assault
- DAY 3: Delivery driver asked for number before being punched: court
- DAY 4: Crash investigator takes stand in Joshua Josef Barker trial
Mr Barker looked confused and sad when police put the hit-run allegation to him, saying to them after a short pause: "This is the end result."
Mr Barker immediately began talking about the night he was bashed by four men with blunt objects in 2009.
Throughout the interview he referred to the assault ruining his life, having demons in his head and referring to people being numbers.
"I haven't been right in the head for a very long time."
Mr Watson's family, who were in the courtroom, became emotional as the video showed the accused telling police he didn't remember hitting anyone.
Police pressed Mr Barker about his memory, questioning why he couldn't recall the most crucial part of the day.
Mr Barker eventually told police he hit a pedestrian.
The interview ends with Mr Barker apologising to Mr Watson's family.
IN OTHER NEWS
Tasmania Police crash investigator Senior Constable Michael Rybka took the stand on Thursday.
He said there was no evidence to suggest Mr Barker's ute was out of control or attempted to brake when it mounted a kerb and hit Mr Watson at a speed between 40km/h and 47km/h.
"The vehicle had to be under acceleration to complete the turn," he said.
The court heard Mr Watson's body was found on the road more than 14 metres from the initial impact point on the footpath.
Senior Constable Rybka said the car was driven quite skillfully, avoiding an Aurora pole and narrowly missing a car parked on a nature strip.
There was only a split second between the ute hitting the gutter and Mr Watson, the court heard.
The trial before Justice Robert Pearce continues.
