Former Mongrel Mob prospect Mauha Fawcett began his closing submission at the High Court in Christchurch on Thursday, saying the woman he is accused of murdering couldn't have been killed in the time the Crown has given.
Mr Fawcett, 26, is charged with murdering sex worker Mellory Manning in Christchurch as part of his gang initiation in December 2008.
Mauha Fawcett on trial at the High Court in Christchurch. Photo: FAIRFAX / Pool
The Crown says the 27-year-old was picked up on Manchester Street by Mongrel Mob members, including the accused, and taken to a gang property in the suburb of Avonside where she was attacked and killed, and then dumped in the Avon River.
Mr Fawcett, who is representing himself, spoke for the first time at length at the High Court in Christchurch on Thursday and denies involvement in Ms Manning's death.
He told the jury he had lied when admitting to being a part of the attack in his initial interviews with police.
Mr Fawcett said according to Crown evidence placing him at the scene, there would have been five minutes to attack her before dumping her body in the Avon River. That is opposed to a 100-minute window the Crown suggests was the case.
Mr Fawcett said based on her extensive injuries, it couldn't have happened in five minutes, and he was never at the gang pad.
The court has previously heard that Mr Fawcett wanted to stay in jail away from the Mongrel Mob.
Crown speaks of unknown man
The Crown told the jury Mr Fawcett took part in the killing of Mellory Manning, and others may still be prosecuted.
In his closing submission, Crown prosecutor Philip Shamy told the jury that gang members may have taken part in the killing but the forensic evidence points only to Mr Fawcett and an unknown man.
He said police were still investigating the death and Mr Fawcett may be called as a witness in a future trial.
Mr Shamy said the accused might say he was forced to be a part of the attack, but duress doesn't apply to murder. He said Mr Fawcett joined in to get his Mongrel Mob patch.
Justice Gendall will sum up the case on Monday.
