Nine News Journalist Ebony Raymond provides an update on the trial of Keith Kerinauia who is accused of murdering Darwin bottle shop worker Declan Laverty saying the jury yesterday heard Mr Kerinauia was laughing and smiling as he ran from the scene after the alleged stabbing

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
And we know that the trial of the man accused
of murdering Darwin Bottle shop worker Declan Lavity enters its
fifth day today in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.
Nineteen year old Keith Kiranoa has pleaded not guilty to
the charge, with his lawyers arguing that he acted in
self defense. Now, yesterday the court heard the Airport Tavern
b ws's no shoes, no service policy allegedly caused the

(00:24):
accused to attack mister Lavity with a thirty centimeter blade.
Now joining me on the line is nine News Darwin's
court reporter Ebanie Raymond, who's been covering the trial. Good
morning to you, Ebony.

Speaker 2 (00:36):
Good morning Katie. How are you going?

Speaker 1 (00:38):
Yeah, really good. Thank you so much for your time
this morning. I know it's been a busy, busy week. Ebane,
tell us what happened in court yesterday.

Speaker 2 (00:48):
So, in court yesterday the jury heard that Keith Karnu
acclaimed Declan Lavity took the first wing in the Alange
knife fire at the Airport Tavn BWS. And the jury
also saw box cutter and the knife sees from Declan's
pockets after his death.

Speaker 1 (01:04):
And so who was called in to give evidence.

Speaker 2 (01:08):
Well, there was a real mix of people yesterday. So
we heard from Karenu's auntie and one of his friends,
along with the airport to have a manager, a crimpscene examiner,
and also the arresting officer who arrested Keith Keranua after
the alleged incident.

Speaker 1 (01:24):
And so what can you tell us at this point
or what more can you tell us about the altercation
between mister Kieranoa and also Declan Lavity before the alleged stabbing.

Speaker 2 (01:35):
So probably the biggest thing that came out of yesterday
was the jury hearing that Keith Karenu had told his
auntie that he was trying to defend himself. So Keith
Karenua claims that Lavity cut his cheek first before karen
was stamped him with the knife. And as you mentioned earlier,
it's alleged that the incident between the pair escalated after

(01:56):
Lavity told Kerenua that he couldn't be in the store
without shoes. On hearing from their airport tabin manager yesterday,
there is a no shirt, no shoes, no service policy
in place at the store.

Speaker 1 (02:08):
And Ebanie, as I understand it, some of the witnesses
as well have claimed that mister Kieranua was laughing and
smiling as he ran away from the scene.

Speaker 2 (02:18):
Yes, that's right.

Speaker 3 (02:19):
So the quarter he from several eyewitnesses who were at
the scene or they arrived at the scene shortly after
the stubbing occurred, and a couple of those witnesses who
saw Karena running out of the store after the alleged
stabbing claim that they saw Karenua laughing as he left.

Speaker 1 (02:39):
Well, Lebanie, you know, I would imagine that there is
going to be plenty more heard today. Do we have
an understanding at this point of how much longer the
trial is expected to go for? It isn't another week?

Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yeah, well it was sat down for ten days and
it's now day five of the trial, so at this
stage it's looking like it's going to be running for
another five days. Well.

Speaker 1 (03:01):
Nine News Darwin Court reporter Ebonie Raymond, really appreciate your
time as always, Thanks very much and we'll talk to
you again next week.

Speaker 2 (03:10):
Great, Thank you, Katie.

Speaker 1 (03:11):
Thank you