An Irish mother wept in Darwin Supreme Court yesterday as she heard her son, Mr Trevor Stokes, insist he was innocent of murder.
Mr Stokes (26), of Naas, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to hacking miner Mr Greg Bebensee to death with a hatchet in Darwin on June 6th, 1999.
Mrs Patricia Stokes dried her eyes as an audiotape of her son talking to police was played to the court.
Mr Stokes gasped as the police told him he was a suspect in the murder of 20-year-old Australian Greg Bebensee.
The accused said: "I thought this was over a traffic offence or something. I've never been in a police station before in my life.
"I'll tell you everything you want to know. I just can't believe I've been arrested for murder. You can check my record in Ireland. I don't even have a parking ticket."
Later, a video of Mr Stokes making a further statement was aired by prosecutor Mr Rex Wilde QC. The accused appeared in the video unshaven and sporting a tight haircut. He wore a black T-shirt and smoked several cigarettes during the interview, but seemed more relaxed than when first told he was a murder suspect.
Mr Stokes answered "I don't recall that" when told by police that his camping friend, Irishman Mr Lee McLaughlin, said he heard Mr Stokes confess to the crime.
He added: "I honestly have no idea what he is talking about, if he's leading you on a wild-goose chase. I'm shocked. I can't believe this. I've never been violent in my life."
The accused's lawyers have claimed Mr McLaughlin (26), from Ballymena, Co Antrim, may be the real killer. In his police interview Mr Stokes said: "He can't be a murderer either. I've known him for a few years."
The trial, before Judge Dean Mildren, continues today.
