Man accused of murder says fight started 'over nothing'

The man accused of murdering a Google employee on his way home from the pub told gardai that a fight started between them "over nothing", a Central Criminal Court jury has heard.

Dane Pearse (aged 22) of Londonbridge Drive, Irishtown, Dublin, denies murdering Mark Spellman (aged 26) from Dalkey, at Londonbridge Road, Irishtown on August 4, 2007.

The jury earlier heard that Mr Spellman and two male friends were walking home from a work night out when Mr Spellman became involved with the accused. An altercation between the men resulted in Mr Spellman's death.

The jury were shown an antique ornamental knife which Mr Pearse had taken from his home after an encounter with Mr Spellman. Mr Pearse told gardaí that he took the weapon from his house to frighten Mr Spellman and defend himself.

Isobel Kennedy SC, prosecuting, read a memo of interview with the accused in which he told gardaí that he ran at the men but stopped as they did not react as he had expected them to. He said they ran at and attacked him and that he and Mr Spellman ended up on the ground in a garden.

Mr Pearse told gardaí: "I'm not sure if the knife went into him when he fell on top of me or when he was banging my head off the ground."

He also said that he did not realise Mr Spellman had been stabbed until he was later told by gardaí. When asked what he thought when Mr Spellman had stopped moving he replied: "I don't know. Maybe he thought he had given me enough."

Mr Pearse said he had had a good night out with his girlfriend and they were messing and chasing each other home. He said it was possible that Mr Spellman thought he was hassling his girlfriend but he said they were not fighting but laughing.

He said the incident with Mr Spellman started over nothing. He said Mr Spellman had shouted "Where are you jogging to" and then kicked Mr Pearse in the chest when he asked what the problem was.

Detective Garda Shane Curran from the Garda Technical Bureau said he was present when a post mortem was carried out on Mr Spellman and that he saw two stab wounds on his body.

Det Garda Curran said that a blood-stained knife was found under tea towels in a kitchen drawer in Mr Pearse's house and that a scabbard for the knife was found on top of Mr Pearse's bed.

Diarmaid McGuinness SC, defending, said Mr Pearse had put the knife on the kitchen counter and that his mother placed it in the drawer unwashed.

The hearing continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of six men and six women.