Witnesses have given varying details about the colour, make and driver - or drivers - of the vehicle police believe was used in the drive-by shooting of George Taiaroa.
Quinton Winders, 45, has denied murdering the 65-year-old roadworker, who was gunned down while operating a stop-go sign in Atiamuri, north of Taupo, on 19 March 2013.
The High Court in Rotorua heard from nine witnesses today, some of whom gave evidence in person and others doing so via video link.
A Tauranga-based transport operator, Gary Hooper, said he had been delivering a load of supplies in the Tram Road area, when he got an "eerie feeling".
He then spotted a dark-coloured Jeep-like vehicle come out of the bush at night, without its headlights on and acting suspiciously, he said.
"I couldn't see any people in the vehicle ... couldn't say if it was one person or four or five."
Mr Hooper said the vehicle drove slowly ahead of him for about 150m, before it disappeared around a bend.
Property maintenance worker Peter Moran said he saw a Jeep Cherokee following him, carrying a very large Māori man and another person of slim build, travelling at speed on Tirohanga Road about mid-afternoon on 18 March.
He said the vehicle was not in good condition, and had a number of scratches and dents on it.
A third defence witness said he saw the same Jeep, with a Māori driver, acting suspiciously on two occasions in the Tram Road area the day before Mr Taiaroa was fatally shot.
Court told of run-in over goats
Later, Aaron Jane and Glenn Law, both friends and builders, gave evidence relating to an incident in August 2012.
Mr Jane told the court via video link that he shot at three or four goats on the side of the road by Mr Winders' property, calling it "a spur of the moment thing" and "stupid".
He said the pair took off, stopping at his friend's place in Strathmore. A short while later, the murder-accused sped up to the house in his dark blue Jeep Cherokee, yelling and swearing at them.
Mr Jane said Mr Winders yelled: "Have you guys been shooting my f****** goats? Just saw a green van, why did you shoot my goats?"
Mr Jane said they caught sight of a gun in his lap, and having heard him being described as "unpredictable", they denied shooting the animals.
He said they chose to store their rifle at a friend's place, just in case Mr Winders ran into them again and discovered the firearm.
The Crown alleges Mr Winders had a tendency to respond irrationally to minor irritation and a minor crash a week prior to the shooting was the catalyst for Mr Winders returning to kill Mr Taiaroa.
Mr Winders' lawyer, Jonathan Temm, argued his client did not know Mr Taiaroa, had never met or spoken to him and had no motive to kill him.
The trial has been adjourned for the day, with closing summaries by the Crown and the defence scheduled for tomorrow.
