A man accused of murdering his friend of 30 years says he believes his friend killed his own wife and mother-in-law.
Lance Murphy Photo: NZ Police
Michael Waipouri has denied charges of kidnapping and murdering Lance Murphy by beating him to death with a baseball bat and a tree branch on a remote hilltop north of Auckland in November 2015.
Another man, Steve Gunbie, is charged with kidnapping and being an accessory.
Mr Waipouri, who has been giving evidence in his own defence, said he had known Mr Murphy and his wife Wendy since the 1980s and was godfather to two of their children.
But he told the High Court in Auckland that Mr Murphy had given his sick wife a lethal injection.
A short time later, he said, Mr Murphy's mother-in-law got sick and Mr Murphy withheld her medication.
Mr Waipouri said he was later threatened by Mr Murphy, who said he would use Mr Waipouri as a boat anchor.
The trial is continuing.
