Jury in Worrell case retires for evening

The jury deciding whether a man deliberately drove his car into a woman's vehicle, killing her, has retired for the evening.

Tony Worrell, 50, of Swanson in west Auckland, has denied murdering Katie Powles, 26, who died when his car smashed into her's in Karaka, south of Auckland, on June 3.

He also denies causing grievous bodily harm to another motorist whose car he crashed into, and four charges of attempted intentional damage.

Justice Pamela Andrews summed up the case in the High Court in Auckland this morning.

"The main issues for you to consider are whether Worrell's actions were deliberate or involuntary. Did he drive deliberately at cars or did he lose control?" she told the jurors.

The jury of five men and seven women, who began their deliberations about 11.20am today, will return at 9am tomorrow.

- NZPA