Accused ‘babbling’
Trial hears of ‘odd’ behaviour
CLIFTON Springs man Stuart McKnight was “babbling and incoherent” on the night his elderly neighbour’s house caught fire, a court heard.
Mr McKnight has pleaded not guilty to murdering his friend and elderly neighbour Graham Stevenson last year and setting the man’s house ablaze.
Police alleged Mr McKnight attacked 79-year-old Mr Stevenson at his Bunganowee Drive home late on May 19 last year and set the house alight.
Neighbour Graeme Eastick yesterday told the Supreme Court he was woken by the sound of what he thought was twigs snapping.
He then realised Mr Stevenson’s house was on fire.
“I looked out the window and just saw a thick black fog, more or less,” the Clifton Springs resident said.
Fellow neighbour Lyn Yearwood had contacted firefighters by the time Mr Eastick was in front of the burning house.
Mr Eastick told the court the accused was also in front of the house, as was Lorraine McKnight, the accused’s mother. “(McKnight) was “babbling and incoherent,” Mr Eastick said. Asked if Mr McKnight was intoxicated, Mr Eastick said he was “90 per cent sure”.
Police arrested Mr McKnight hours after the fire. The court was told his clothes smelled of fuel and he had blood on his shoes.
Senior Constable Paul Stokes said Mr McKnight’s behaviour was notable both during and following the house fire. “He seemed a bit odd, a bit strange to me,” he said. “At the time, I thought he appeared intoxicated. He had an unlit cigarette in his hand, which was unusual.”
Mr Stevenson died in hospital three days after the fire as a result of head injuries and serious burns.
The accused’s mother said her son had lived in her home for eight years since a marriage breakdown.
She said Mr McKnight was friends with Mr Stevenson, and there was no noticeable tension between the men.
The accused’s mother said Mr Stevenson had visited her home earlier that day, eager to show off his new dog Chanel.
The Supreme Court trial continues in Geelong today.