Irishman Mr Trevor Stokes owed about £4,000 when he allegedly mugged and murdered Australian Mr Greg Bebensee, his trial in Darwin heard yesterday.
Mr Stokes (26), a civil engineer from Naas, Co Kildare insisted he was innocent of the murder.
He accused prosecutors at Darwin Supreme Court of "twisting and turning circumstances" to suit themselves. And he condemned his ex-camping friend, Mr Lee McLaughlin, who earlier in the trial claimed to have heard Mr Stokes make a confession.
The accused's lawyers have claimed Mr McLaughlin (26), from Ballymena, Co Antrim, may himself be the killer. Yesterday, Mr Stokes said: "I don't know how he lives with himself. I have a clear conscience. I know Lee McLaughlin doesn't." He added: "I couldn't believe people couldn't see through this guy's lies."
Finishing his cross-examination of the defendant, Mr Rex Wilde QC, prosecuting, said: "I suggest you are the one who shouldn't be able to live with yourself."
Earlier, Mr Stokes admitted he owed a total of £4,000 to two banks. But he repeatedly denied the murder of miner Mr Bebensee (20), who was hacked to death on June 6th last year in a Darwin suburb with a combination hatchet which is also used as a tool for camping. Mr Stokes said: "This whole thing is a farce. It's all lies. I didn't kill anyone. I would never do anything like that to anyone." Mr Stokes also insisted he never visited a scenic area where the victim's wallet was found hidden.
He went on to recall his disbelief on being arrested and jailed. Mr Stokes told defence barrister Mr Jon Tippett: "I felt helpless. I didn't know a person in Darwin and I was put in jail. I went for bail four times and was knocked back each time. I felt numb."
Asked by Mr Tippett if he had ever been to Howard Springs, where Mr Bebensee's wallet was found, Mr Stokes said: "I've never been to Howard Springs in my life."
He also denied asking Australian friend Mr Chris Cathcart, (29), to help him mug a person at an Irish bar on the night of the killing. Later Mr Stokes claimed he left Darwin the day after the killing because he couldn't get work, not because he feared remaining there.
The accused told the court he rang a builder in Darwin asking for work before deciding to leave. Mr Stokes faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted.