A memorial for David Bridgwater who died on January 4, 2024. (File photo) Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
A man accused of murder was acting in self-defence when he fatally shot Christchurch father of two David Bridgwater, a court has been told.
James Holder has pleaded not guilty to murdering Bridgwater on 4 January 2024 in the Christchurch suburb of Aranui.
On the opening day of the trial at the High Court in Christchurch, the jury heard Holder and Bridgwater had never met until shortly before the fatal incident.
In her opening address, prosecutor Penny Brown said Bridgwater had been at the Jucy Fest music event in the hours prior to his death.
Afterwards, he travelled to Holder's house in Carisbrooke St, Aranui, with some people who knew Holder, to pick up some drugs.
They left, but later returned to Holder's house, where they all hung out in the garage.
Brown said Bridgwater's behaviour in the garage was described by one of the witnesses as "obnoxious".
"She said he was being rude and disrespectful to his hosts. He was throwing darts at the furniture and tools."
He was also putting his arm around a woman who had a partner, who was known by others in the garage, Brown said.
Holder asked Bridgwater to leave multiple times, Brown said.
She said Bridgwater did go outside to this car on the street, and started it up.
One of the women followed him, followed by Holder who had with him a loaded point 22 calibre firearm.
Brown said an altercation started out on the street and culminated with Holder shooting Bridgwater in the abdomen.
In the opening address for the defence, John Wayne Howell said the trial was about self-defence.
He said on that night Bridgwater had been under the influence of illicit drugs and alcohol, and his behaviour was disrespectful, belligerent and dangerous.
Howell said the crucial events that occurred out on the road happened over a matter of minutes.
He said the jury will not hear from a Crown witness about what happened in those few minutes, but it will be laid out by the defence.
The jury needed to keep an open mind, Howell said, because there was more to the story than just the Crown evidence.
"All Mr Holder asks of you is to give him a fair go."
The trial is set down to last five weeks.
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