The man accused of murdering Glen Innes woman Denise Holmes allegedly told police that he did not know why he cut her throat.
Evidence presented at a depositions hearing in the Auckland District Court alleges that Desmond Malcolm Knox confessed at the Mt Wellington Police Station and during a video-tapedinterview at the Auckland Central Police Station.
Knox, 22, unemployed, of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murdering the 27-year-old on or about January 1 at her Maybury St flat.
Her body was discovered about four days later.
A summary of police evidence said that Knox called to visit Denise Holmes about 6.30pm on January 1.
Two other people who were also at the flat left soon afterwards.
Knox and Denise Holmes, who was a prostitute, were friends. They were known to sniff paint.
After Knox had a shower, he got a knife from the kitchen and returned to the bedroom, where he climbed on top of Denise Holmes, straddling her semi-naked upper body and pinning her down, police said.
Knox started to strangle her using a strap she wore around her neck. When she started struggling, he hit her on the forehead with a can of paint spray.
Knox contemplated whether he should kill her. He then continued the assault, trying to slash her throat with the knife and forcing clothing into her mouth.
She continued to struggle but died from suffocation.
Police spoke to Knox on January 8.
During the interview with Detective Dean Blakemore at the Mt Wellington Police Station, Knox said: "I killed her, man.
"I killed Denise. I took a knife and cut her throat and strangled her.
"I don't know why. I just did it."
He was remanded in custody for trial in the High Court.
There are 27 police witnesses and 66 civilian witnesses.
