Jury on John Milligan trial expected to consider verdict Thursday

John William Milligan is on trial in the Supreme Court in Burnie this week charged with firearms offences including reckless discharge at his home on the corner of the Bass Highway and Murchison Highway at Somerset.

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He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Also on Wednesday, two triple-zero calls made on November 4, 2018, were played to the jury at the end of the Crown prosecution case.

The first call was by the mother of one of the teenagers who was shot by Mr Milligan firing a gel blaster, a weapon that fires small pellets, which do not cause serious injury.

The caller, Stacy Beaton, told the triple-zero operator shots had been fired on the property and that police were required but that no one was seriously injured.

In his triple-zero call, Mr Milligan told the operator he was inside his home and fearful because of the teenagers outside, and that he had fired a shot through the window.

He would later tell police officers he felt sufficiently fearful during the situation to warrant such a reaction, that he was acting in self-defence.

When asked if he thought about the safety of others, including passersby and motorists on the Bass Highway, Mr Milligan said he did not.

"I did what I thought was the best thing for me," he said.

In closing statements on Wednesday afternoon, Crown prosecutor Katie Edwards told the jury Mr Milligan was "clearly reckless" in firing that shot.

"It was reckless to the point of foolhardiness," Ms Edwards said.

"Clearly a reasonable person is going to say he hasn't given due regard to the safety of other people. The chances of something going wrong are so high.

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"He could've easily hit one of these boys in the head."

However defence lawyer Julia Ker said Mr Milligan's response in firing the shot was a "reasonable" act of self-defence.

"The prosecutor has suggested trespass isn't really an issue in this case," Ms Ker said.

"There can be no question that Mr Milligan's front porch and his front door are his property.

"[His actions were] a reasonable response."

The jury are expected to consider their verdict today.

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