New Zealander Tamate Heke at the Supreme Court in Brisbane yesterday. Photo / AAP
New Zealander Tamate Heke at the Supreme Court in Brisbane yesterday. Photo / AAP
A New Zealander on trial for the manslaughter of another man during an altercation on a Brisbane motorway told police he only threw the punch because he had been hit first.
Tamate Henry Heke allegedly struck 50-year-old Shane Merrigan on the Gateway at Eight Miles Plains on December 1, 2015.
Merrigan was killed when he stumbled and fell into the path of an oncoming truck.
Heke enters Brisbane court with supporters. Photo / AAP
On the third day of his Brisbane Supreme Court trial on Wednesday, the jury watched a video of Heke's interview with police in the hours after the incident.
Heke told officers Merrigan had "tailgated" him while swearing and making hand gestures.
The court heard the accused also made hand gestures when Merrigan followed him into another lane.
Heke told police after about five minutes, the man in the "high-vis shirt" wound down his window and motioned for him to pull over onto the side of the road.
He claimed Mr Merrigan approached his car while again swearing and making gestures.
Heke said he did not fear for his life during the road rage incident, but he also said he had no intention to fight with Merrigan or push him into oncoming traffic.
In the recording, he conceded he should have stayed in his car and called police.
The prosecution has now closed its case and defence barrister Anthony Kimmins confirmed his client would not give evidence.
Closing arguments are due to start on Wednesday afternoon.