TEEN ON TRIAL FOR MURDER
A TEENAGER will stand trial for the murder of a Gold Coast father he allegedly killed during a Boxing Day home invasion getaway.
Alexander Kirke, 19, fronted Southport Magistrates Court yesterday where he was committed to stand trial for the murder of Darren Pullar at Broadbeach Waters in the early hours of Boxing Day 2016.
The court was told Kirke drove to a home on Rio Vista Blvd where two men allegedly got out of the car with a baseball bat, a cricket bat and knives and tried to rob Mr Pullar’s neighbour.
Mr Pullar chased the men back to the car where he was allegedly killed by Kirke as he drove away from the scene.
In court yesterday, a handful of witnesses said they saw Mr Pullar fall in front of the dark-coloured car before he was run over.
Details about what Kirke allegedly told an undercover police officer in the Southport Watchhouse after his arrest were also revealed in court.
“They shouldn’t give me bail because someone has stopped breathing,” Kirke’s defence barrister Chris Wilson said, reading from a transcript.
“The victim had a knife in his hand and he was about to stab my mate. I was in the car, he was like a human speed bump.
“I didn’t even see the (expletive), it was an accident. I knew as soon as I hit him. I didn’t see him.”
Mr Wilson, instructed by Guest Lawyers, told the court there was no evidence Kirke intended to kill Mr Pullar.
He submitted the recording was evidence Kirke did not intend to run Mr Pullar down.
“Not only is there no evidence of an intention by him, there is actual evidence that is admissible that he did not see (Mr Pullar).”
Acting Senior Sargent Nicole Jackson said the area was well lit and Kirke would have known Mr Pullar’s location.
“The defendant has waited until his cooffender has got into the vehicle and, as described by some of the witnesses, ‘floored it’,” Acting SenSgt Jackson said.
She said Kirke’s statements to the undercover officer could not be relied on because they included false statements about the colour of the car and it being destroyed.
Magistrate Pamela Dowse said she felt the murder case was weak but it was up to a jury to decide.
“I do think it’s a very weak case with respect to the murder charge,” Ms Dowse said.
“However, that’s not a matter for me because the authorities are if (the case is) weak or tenuous or vague it should be put to a jury,” Ms Dowse said.
Kirke was committed to stand trial for murder in the Brisbane Supreme Court at a date to be set.