The man's lawyers intend to use the defence of insanity. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
The High Court in Wellington has seen footage of the police interview of the man charged with setting the fatal Loafers Lodge fire in 2023.
Five people were killed in the blaze which began in the Wellington boarding house in the early hours of May 16 in 2023
A man, whose identity is suppressed, is facing five counts of murder and one of arson for setting the building alight.
It's not disputed the accused lit two fires, but the man's lawyers intend to use the defence of insanity.
During a police interview after the defendant's arrest on 18 May in Lower Hutt the man - still wearing the distinctive cap shown in CCTV footage from the day of the fire - declined his opportunity to request a lawyer.
He affirmed his comprehension as he was read his rights by the arresting officer, but questioned his need for a lawyer.
"What for? I done nothing wrong," he said.
The officer - who did not want to be identified - told the court at no point during the arrest did he detect any signs of a language barrier, intoxication or mental impairment during his conversations with the defendant.
But during the interview the man is vague on details such as how long he had lived at Loafers Lodge.
The man said he "went for a walk" towards Lambton Quay on the night of the fire.
"I just left my room and went for a walk. I heard the siren when I was walking down the city - in Wellington - but I don't know anything. I just keep walking," the man said.
He said he returned to the boarding house and saw the fire.
"I saw the fire brigade and the police and... yeah... it scared me. I just walked around ... all night."
The man said he did not call anyone after seeing the fire.
"I just kept it to myself".
The officer showed him images from the lodge's CCTV where the man was seen wearing his distinctive hat - he agreed that he was the person shown.
But when the officer showed him footage of an individual lighting a fire beneath a couch - in the building's common room - the man denied the same distinctive hat worn by that person was him.
"That person is spending their entire time going back and forward trying to light those couches on fire. Wearing what - in my view - looks to be the same clothes as in this photo," the interviewing officer said.
"Not me," the defendant replied.
"My strong belief is that you lit that fire. I just want to know why?" the officer said.
"Definitely not," the defendant replied.
"If someone had set a fire to a couch [in that building] what do you think would happen?" the officer said.
"Probably burn the place down," the defendant said.
The officer then asked: "If someone set a fire in a building in the middle of the night when people were asleep what do you think would happen then?"
"I don't know. Probably danger," the defendant replied.
"Do you watch the news? Do you know what did happen?" the officer said.
The defendant replied, "No. I've got no idea."
"People died," the officer said.
"Yeah, I'm sorry for them," the defendant said.
"Honestly, you look quite nervous," the officer said.
"I'm not," the defendant said.
The officer replied: "I think you want to tell me what happened,"
"I didn't do it," the defendant said.
"Some part of you must want to tell me what happened," the officer repeated.
The defendant replied: "I done nothing."
"Do you think they [the victim's families] deserve an explanation for what happened?" the officer said.
"I don't know what to say. I don't know... they lost their lives," the defendant said.
"They did," the officer replied.
Following the interview the man was formally charged with arson and advised that other charges were likely to follow.
The cap the man was wearing was taken in as evidence. Later that night the man consented to provide a DNA sample.
As the officer read the accused the notes of his interview the man became aggressive, yelling and swearing at the officer saying "I didn't f%$king do it".
He later refused to sign confirmation of the accuracy of the officer's notes and photographs shown during the interview.
The Crown concluded their case on Thursday.
The defence will open their case on Monday morning.
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