KEY POINTS:
Murder accused Antonie Dixon made it clear he had nothing to lose as he held a hostage at gunpoint at a house in East Tamaki, a police negotiator told a jury today.
Senior Sergeant Wendy Spiller told the High Court at Auckland she spent several hours speaking with Dixon, trying to get him to release his hostage Ian Miller and to surrender.
Dixon, 40, faces eight charges relating to incidents that occurred in January 2003, when Renee Gunbie and Simonne Butler were attacked with a samurai sword at Pipiroa, near Thames; and James Te Aute was shot dead in Auckland.
Dixon was found guilty in 2005 of eight charges including murder and causing grievous bodily harm, but the Court of Appeal later ordered a second trial, suppressing its reasons for quashing his convictions.
Ms Spiller said Dixon was very irate, especially when he could hear the police helicopter, Eagle, flying overhead in the early hours of January 22.
Dixon was "very aware" of police terms and jargon throughout their conversation, she said.
Ms Spiller said Dixon had nothing to live for and no family to support him.
He was aware the house was surrounded by armed police.
"He said he had nothing to lose," she said.
The jury will hear audio tapes today of conversations between Dixon and police as they tried to negotiate with him.
- NZPA
