Man shot dead neighbours at close range

File photo / NZ Herald

A West Coast man went on trial in the High Court at Greymouth yesterday for murdering his elderly neighbour and the man's intellectually handicapped grandson.

Jeffrey Douglas Frost, 42, of Hokitika, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Frank Joseph Schist, 86, and Andrew William John Hutchison, 23, (also known as Giles) on April 6 last year.

Both were shot in the head with a rust-pitted single-barrelled shotgun in Mr Schist's home.

The Crown alleged after shooting Mr Schist, Frost calmly reloaded and shot the grandson.

Mr Schist died slumped in his chair, while Mr Hutchison fell face down to the floor, his right hand still in his pocket.

Frost had no motive and was not claiming self-defence, that the act was performed unconsciously, provocation or insanity, the court was told.

His defence was that he had not intended to kill his victims.

The trial is expected to run all week.

Defence lawyer Doug Taffs said Frost might testify, but if he did it would be the only evidence he would be calling.

In his opening address, Crown prosecutor Mark Zintel said Frost had been under pressure to pay his mortgage and had just received notice he would have to pay $500 a week in child support for an estranged son.

His former partner and son lived in the house Frost owned, while he stayed in a sleepout at the rear of the property.

On April 6 Frost sent former partner Kataraina Paul a text saying, "tell (son) I love him so much. I can't go on without providing for him".

The Crown alleged Frost then took a shotgun next door, shooting Mr Schist and Mr Hutchison.

He left, dropping the shotgun near the laundry, went home, and phoned the police. He made two calls, saying he had shot his neighbours and wanted police to come to his house.

When Ms Paul arrived home before the police got there he said: "It's your fault, I lost the plot. You left me with no money".

He told police he had shot two people dead.

Asked if he wanted a lawyer, he said of course he did: "I shot two people".

Mr Zintel said jury would have to decide if it was murder or manslaughter. If Frost knew what he was doing could cause death, he was guilty of murder.

Mr Zintel told the jurors to not worry about a lack of motive; it did not matter why Frost chose his victims, just that he did.

- NZPA