Knife death of Mob man self-defence, jury told

IN WHATEVER way it was used, the knife that killed Mongrel Mob member Sean Verma was held in selfdefence, a Wellington jury has been told.

Verma’s partner, Jessica Lee Keefe, 30, has pleaded not guilty to murdering him.

The Crown acknowledges a history of domestic violence in the relationship. Both Keefe and Mr Verma, 30, had been drinking before his death at his flat in Petone, Lower Hutt, on January 29.

He was serving a sentence of home detention and was not allowed to leave the flat. He told Keefe, in colloquial words, to go away but it is alleged she continued the confrontation and got a knife from the kitchen.

The knife went into Mr Verma’s chest once. It was found later back in the kitchen drawer.

But opening the defence case to the jury yesterday, Keefe’s lawyer, Donald Stevens, QC, said it was selfdefence in whatever way the knife was used.

She should be acquitted of both murder and manslaughter, he said.

Keefe told police she could recall holding the knife in front of her to fend off Mr Verma and he punched her in the eye, but she said what happened after that was a blank.

She told police she did not know if she stabbed him or he lunged at her and impaled himself on the knife.

Keefe did not give evidence, but the jury of seven women and five men saw recordings of two interviews she had with police. She said Mr Verma did not like her drinking and would assault her.

‘‘I guess in a way I was kind of expecting it because it always happens when I drink, he doesn’t like me drinking,’’ she told police.

It would happen about twice a month, or once every two months if she was lucky. She said she still loved him.

A doctor who examined her about 15 hours after Mr Verma died said she had several bruises.

The only witness the defence called yesterday was an Auckland psychologist with a special interest in domestic violence. However, Alison Towns had not spoken to Keefe and did not give evidence about her case in particular.

The jury is due to begin considering its verdict today.