Baby's short life was filled with violence

Cezar Taylor. Photo / supplied

Baby Cezar Taylor lived for only six months and during that time he had his head smacked on to his walker, was dangled upside down and shaken before being dropped on to his bed, a court has been told.

James Hemana is on trial in the High Court at Auckland for the murder of six-month-old Cezar, his partner's baby.

He has pleaded not guilty but has admitted failing to provide the necessaries of life

In his closing, Crown prosecutor Phil Hamlin said Hemana used violence to try and control his girlfriend Victoria Taylor, Cezar and her daughter Wikitoria.

He showed the jury family photographs of all three with bruising to their faces, caused by Hemana's violence.

"The evidence you've heard shows how this boy was killed, how he was killed at the hands of Mr Hemana.''

Hemana is alleged to have put Cezar in his walker before slapping him in the back of the head three times. Cezar's head flung forward and hit the tray and toys on the walker.

Three days later, Hemana was woken by Cezar crying and is alleged to have grabbed the baby by the front and vigorously shook him in a "punching'' motion.

The Crown says that the following week, Hemana attacked the baby again.

"He grabbed the child's leg, pulled him up to shoulder height as he was standing. He was shaking him vigorously and dropped him,'' Mr Hamlin told the court.

He said that as Hemana dropped the baby on to the bed, the child's head hit a cabinet.

Mr Hamlin asked the jury: "How do we handle a 6-month-old?''

"The way we handle a 6-month-old can be explained in one word: 'Carefully'.''

He said Hemana did the opposite and the medical evidence confirmed that.

Mr Hamlin said Hemana prevented Ms Taylor from taking Cezar to hospital but when he finally relented, he threatened her with the words: "You mention my name and you'll be buried alive.''

The defence did not call evidence and is due to close this afternoon.

The trial continues.

TIME LINE

January 21: Baby Cezar is born to 20-year-old Victoria Taylor.

May 21: Ms Taylor, her younger sister and James Hemana move in to a house in Mangere

July 2: Hemana alleged to have hit Cezar in the back of the head and the child's head banged into a hard surface.

July 6: Hemana is alleged to have violently shaken baby Cezar.

July 13: Hemana alleged to have picked Cezar up by the leg and shaken him before dropping him into his cot

July 23: Cezar admitted to hospital with severe brain injuries

July 28: Cezar dies 10 minutes after life support is turned off. The same day, police locate and arrest Hemana.