Seven key moments from the Connor Morris trial

Millie Elder-Holmes leaves the High Court in Auckland after giving evidence during the Connor Morris trial. Photo / Greg Bowker

Here are the seven key moments from the Connor Morris murder trial - from the shock of seeing the weapon to the emotional testimony from Millie Elder-Holmes.

1. The weapon: In the first minutes of the trial, during the Crown opening, the weapon used to kill Connor Morris was produced for the jury. A slasher with a long wooden handle, a rusted blade with a sharp point was held up for all in court to see. It was the first time Mr Morris' family had seen the weapon, and heard details of where he was struck and the injury he suffered. His parents gasped and left the room, his mother in tears, as Crown prosecutor David Johnstone outlined the case against Murray.

2. 'I started the fight': One of the first witnesses for the Crown was Trevor Morunga. For the first time details about what sparked the fatal fight were revealed. Mr Morunga, then 17, was drunk. He was standing with a group of others including Murray at the top of his driveway when three men from another group approached. They had been at Mr Morris' sister's housewarming and were walking to get juice and cigarettes. Mr Morunga greeted them, went to shake the hand of one man and instead "kicked out", booting him in the face. Minutes later reinforcements from the housewarming were in the street and the fight was on.

3. Millie: The Crown's most anticipated witness was Mr Morris' girlfriend Millie Elder-Holmes, the daughter of late broadcaster Sir Paul Holmes. She was near Mr Morris when he was hit and ran to him when she saw him collapse. She told the court that she held his head, trying to stop the blood from gushing out but it was no use. Her testimony was short, but emotional.

4. Connor's death: The 26-year-old died almost instantly from the sickle blow, possibly even before he hit the ground. But he was not declared dead until he reached the hospital. The court heard that his father Chris Morris rode in the ambulance as paramedics tried everything to save Mr Morris. Chris Morris talked to his son the whole way to Auckland City Hospital, despite his heart having stopped and there being no signs of life.

5. The police video: The jury was shown a two-hour video of Murray being interviewed by police. He was polite, cooperative but lied from start to finish. He told police he was asleep when Mr Morris was killed, in his sleepout with his partner and kids. Even when shown a video of Mr Morunga's statement and being told that other witnesses had placed him at the scene with a weapon he denied it. They were all lying, he said.

6. The accused speaks: Days after the video interview was shown, Murray took the stand for the defence, telling the jury what really happened that night. He said he lied to police because he feared for his and his family's safety. He had read reports in the media and heard that threats had been made on Facebook about the Head Hunters seeking revenge and retribution for Mr Morris' death. He said he intended only to scare Mr Morris and his crew by brandishing the sickle. When he saw Mr Morris assaulting his younger brother Stanley Popata-Murray he called for him to stop. When that didn't work, fearing his brother would be injured or killed, he closed his eyes and swung the weapon.

7. What Bodhi saw: Bodhi Young was with Murray's brother the night Mr Morris died. He ran up to the street after the fighting started and saw Stanley Popata-Murray getting bashed. He then saw Murray with a weapon, saw him hit his brother's assailant who dropped to the ground. Mr Young was the only witness who saw the fatal blow clearly and gave compelling evidence for the defence.