A convicted murderer serving a life sentence for killing a teenager in the back of a police van is in court facing a new charge of threatening to stab a prison officer.
George Charlie Baker was convicted in 2006 of strangling 17-year-old Liam Ashley.
Appearing in the Auckland District Court today, flanked by three prison guards, Baker pleaded not guilty to the charge of threatening to stab an officer with a homemade weapon.
The threat was alleged to have happened in Auckland Prison at Paremoremo in August last year while Baker was moving cells after having a shower.
In opening the Crown's case, Robin McCoubrey told the court there was no doubt Baker made threats because the incident was recorded on a prison officer's body camera.
Annabel Cresswell, for the defence, said she would argue during the trial that Baker had acted in self defence.
The bodycam video of the altercation, which lasted several minutes, was shown to the jury of five men and seven women.
Three prison guards also gave evidence describing how Baker was in possession of a homemade weapon when he made the threats.
The case is expected to last two days.
