Murder accused: 'I have got the bitch'

Murder victim Allison McPhee. Photo / supplied

The man accused of beating to death his on-off partner Allison McPhee told three men a few days after the killing "I have got the bitch", a jury was told today.

The evidence was given on the fifth day of Hone John Haerewa's trial in the High Court in Wellington for murdering 42-year-old Ms McPhee at her suburban Newtown home in July last year.

Haerewa, 53, often visited the city's night shelter for homeless men to chat to some of those who stayed there, the court was told .

One of them, Bryce Wilson, said in evidence today he also frequently saw the accused at the Home of Compassion soup kitchen and "generally just being around" Wellington.

Mr Wilson and two other men had spent the night of July 30, 2010, in the shelter and were sitting outside at 6am the next day when Haerewa joined them.

That was three days after 42-year-old Ms McPhee, had been found battered to death in her bed-sit around July 22 last year.

Mr Wilson told the jury he noticed Haerewa was wearing different "attire" -- unlike the dark clothing he usually favoured.

"We were just talking general banter when he made a comment which got all of our attention because it was completely out of the blue," the witness said.

Haerewa's words were: "I have got the bitch. She is not going to nark any more."

Mr Wilson said he and the other two men were shocked into silence.

"It had nothing to do with what we were talking about. It was just unusual. Nobody made any comment. The conversation stopped."

The witness said Haerewa had always come across as a gentle, quiet guy.

"I just assumed he was blowing hot air."

The prosecution is expected to complete its case tomorrow and the defence will present its evidence next week.

- NZPA