Warning: This article contains distressing details that may disturb some people.
The man accused of kidnapping and murdering Dimetrius Pairama told police the 17-year-old killed herself, and he wasn't involved in her torture or death.
- Accused claims she was forced to watch Dimetrius Pairama's torture
- Witness describes gruesome killing of Dimetrius Pairama
- Trial begins for pair accused of brutally kidnapping, torturing and murdering 17yo Dimetrius Pairama
Kerry Te Amo's two police interviews were played at the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday. In the footage, he points the finger at his co-accused, Ashley Winter, whom he described as evil.
Police allege Te Amo and Winter kidnapped Pairama and killed her at an abandoned state house in Mangere, before dumping her body in a steel drum in July last year.
Te Amo has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
In his police interview, he denied being in the room when Winter was torturing Pairama.
"Ashley tried to make me beat her up, but I didn't," Te Amo told the court.
He did, however, admit to moving Pairama's body after she died.
When asked why his version of events didn't match other statements given, particularly by the Crown's immunity witness, he replied, "I can't explain that."
Yesterday, Winter's police interview was played to the court, in which she admitted beating up Pairama and helping to make a noose out of a sheet.
But she had told the detective it was Te Amo who did the rest.
The trial continues.
Newshub.
