The trial of a Dunedin cleaner accused of bashing his boss to death with a hammer is drawing to a close.
Alexander Merritt allegedly killed 51-year-old Karin Ross in the carpark of Spotless Cleaning Services in 2015.
On Monday, the Crown and defence presented their closing arguments.
The Crown says 21-year-old Alexander Merritt killed his boss Karin Ross in a Strathallan Street carpark in the early hours of December 2nd last year, after she'd spoken to him about his conduct at work.
"It appears she became the focus of his anger about the work situation," says Crown Prosecutor Robin Bates.
The Crown say Ms Ross tried to flee during the attack which it says was vicious and lengthy.
A pathologist found she'd been struck in the head at least 14 times.
"It took numerous, numerous blows until she finally succumbed," says Mr Bates.
Mr Bates told the court a Police forensics team later found a hammer, glove and hoodie with Ms Ross's blood on them in a wheelie bin outside Merritt's home.
But Merritt's lawyer, Anne Stevens, says none of those items belonged to the young cleaner - and suggested there were holes in the Crown's case.
"You cannot find the case the charge of murder against Alexander Merritt proved beyond reasonable doubt and we submit you should find him not guilty," she says.
Justice Nicholas Davidson will sum up the case tomorrow - before the jury retires to consider its verdict.
Newshub.
