Dixon could see God as well as speak to him, court told

Antonie Dixon, who allegedly attacked two women with a sword and murdered a man, could not only talk to God, he could see him, a court heard today.

God appeared like a triangle and God told him what to do, defence witness Dr Justin Barrie-Walsh told Dixon's trial in the High Court in Auckland.

Dixon is on trial for the murder of Auckland man James Te Aute and for the attempted murder of Renee Gunbie and Simonne Butler in January 2003. He has pleaded not guilty.

The Crown alleges he attacked the two women with a samurai sword in Pipiroa, near Thames on the Hauraki Plains

Dr Barrie-Walsh said that during interviews with Dixon in Auckland Prison at Paremoremo his narrative was poorly structured, and his recall was confused and jumbled.

He was convinced everyone was involved in a large conspiracy, and he would soon be dead.

He was also convinced he was being followed by satellites, helicopters and a 747 aircraft.

One day he woke up and God was speaking to him and his dog outside was talking to him. God spoke to him for hours.

He said he was meant to die and his family and heaven were waiting for him, Dr Barrie-Walsh told the court.

When the sword broke during the attack on the two girls, it was a symbol and meant he was not meant to kill them, Dr Barrie-Walsh said.

After the sword broke he could not hear voices and did not know what to do.

He had chopped off the "right hand of falsehood and evil" when he cut off Renee Gunbie's hand with the sword, Dixon had told him.

When he shot James Te Aute dead in Auckland the next day, it was after he had seen horns on Mr Te Aute.

He first believed he was being followed by police when he was 15 and had tried to commit suicide several times in his life, Dr Barrie-Walsh said.

The trial continues.

- NZPA