Accused Tells Court Of Fears For Life

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday November 19, 2008

By PAUL MAGUIRE

AN East Maitland Supreme Court murder trial was abruptly adjourned yesterday when the accused, Todd Andrew Pearce, yelled and swore at the Crown prosecutor.

Pearce said he feared for his safety and refused to name a person he said he had earlier threatened to shoot.

Pearce agreed to write the person's name on paper and then swore at prosecutor Helen Wilson as she continued questioning him.

He was removed but when the matter resumed, Judge Megan Latham told the jury that Pearce was in a distressed state, unfit to give evidence, would be seen by a doctor and the matter would resume today.

At the beginning of his trial on November 10, Pearce, 25, pleaded not guilty to murdering Con Karafylis outside a block of Fowler Street, Hamilton South, Housing Department flats at 3.30pm on August 18 last year.

Pearce told the court yesterday he had taken heroin, the amphetamine known as ice and other drugs and had not slept for six days when he argued with Mr Karafylis.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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