A man who fatally shot a friend after the victim allegedly became violent at the accused's home did so in self-defence, his lawyer says.
Alan Christopher Paul Gundry, 30, is on trial at the High Court in Auckland for the murder of Gene Atkins, 28, on January 12 at Gundry's home in the Rodney district, north of Auckland.
Crown prosecutors said Gundry reacted excessively when he shot Mr Atkins in response to threats Mr Atkins was making to various people at Gundry's house, including the accused's wife and children.
But Gundry's lawyer Graeme Newell said his client claimed he acted in self-defence.
Mr Newell said questions would be asked about Mr Atkins' personality and other incidents he had been involved with in the past, events which Gundry knew about.
The jury heard that Mr Atkins had that day been arguing with his partner Sarah Dean and thrown her belongings out of their home following a bout of drinking.
Ms Dean picked up her belongings and went to Gundry's home. Mr Atkins arrived about 15 minutes later and started brawling with several of the occupants while looking for Ms Dean, crown prosecutor Kevin Glubb said.
He said Mr Atkins allegedly pushed and threatened Gundry's partner, Nicole McDonald, in the home, prompting Gundry to fetch his pig-hunting rifle.
Ms Dean had allegedly asked Gundry to merely "scare" Mr Atkins with the rifle, but Gundry replied: "I can't do that, he's threatening my kids and my family."
Gundry shot Mr Atkins twice, Mr Glubb said - once in the right side of the abdomen and once in the sternum.
The trial is expected to last a week.
