A man accused of attacking two Porirua women was actually the victim in the incident, his lawyer has told the High Court in Wellington.
Defence lawyer Quentin Duff told the jury today that his client was not a brooding, simmering man waiting to attack someone with a hammer. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Ruka Hemopo, 51, is before the court charged with attempted murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
At the opening of the trial last week, the Crown said that Mr Hemopo attacked one woman in the house with a hammer and the other with a knife after an argument over cigarettes on 13 May, 2013.
Crown prosecutor, Dale La Hood, said the defendant punched both women, before attacking one with the hammer, using both the head and claw of the tool.
"One of the blows from the claw caused a deep penetrating wounding to her right arm above the elbow. [The blows also] fractured her right arm and right shoulder blade."
However, defence lawyer Quentin Duff told the jury today that his client was not a brooding, simmering man waiting to attack someone with a hammer.
"He'll tell you about a good family life... He will tell you about an argument that he will say lasted for 15 or 20 minutes."
Mr Duff said one of the women had a knife and the defendant disarmed her, before going to his room and getting dressed.
He said the woman then grabbed the knife again and cut Mr Hemopo's throat.
"He will [say] he didn't see her cutting her own throat, but obviously saw the wounds on her.
"He doesn't remember much from there because he was shot and tasered [by the police]."
Mr Duff said his client underwent surgery as a result of the knife attack.
The trial is expected to end later this week.
