Murder-accused admits lying to police

The 23-year-old accused of murdering a Christchurch toddler has admitted lying several times to police about what happened in the events leading up to the death of Ihaka Stokes.

Taylor was back on the stand for a second day at the High Court on Wednesday.

He was under cross examination from the Crown and said he never told police he dropped Ihaka the night before the fatal blows were inflicted.

He also said he lied about hearing a bang coming from Ihaka's room the night the toddler died and said he did this to protect Ihaka's mother Mikala - the only other person in the house that night.

"I was going to go to jail for her, I would have gone to prison for her if she came to me and said I did this. I love her," he said.

Taylor told the jury that he had suspicions that Mikala had hurt the young child and that he should have done more when he realised.

"I'm telling the truth for Ihaka and at the end of this I can get up and say that at least I told the truth."

Taylor's accused of killing the 14-month-old, who the Crown says died from 59 injuries inflicted at his Christchurch home back in July 2015.

Newshub.