Guy Trial: Closing statement underway

Ewen Macdonald’s defence says Scott Guy’s murder is a mystery that remains unsolved.

Defence counsel Greg King finished giving his closing argument to the jury in the High Court today.

He told them to put aside their natural urge to bring closure in the case, for the sake of Macdonald’s children.

"Members of the jury this mystery is not solved. More work, much more work is required. Hopefully one day it will be, but it's not to be today."

Justice France will be summing up on Monday before the jury begins deliberating.

Ewen Macdonald’s defence says his mindless and cowardly acts against Scott Guy do not make him a murderer.

Mr King also said in his closing statement that arson and vandalism attacks that Macdonald has admitted to in the lead up to the murder were acts against property and not people, and has urged the jury to note the difference.

"It occurred against empty houses, there were no personal effects, no personal possessions and yes it's disgraceful, but it does not making Ewen Macdonald a murderer."

Mr King has also told the jury that evidence about ‘poisonous notes’ left in Scott and Kylee Guy’s letterbox is rubbish and should be ignored.

The High Court earlier heard that Mr Guy’s murder was an attack on Macdonald's own children.

Defence counsel Greg King has told the court that Scott Guy loved Anna and Ewen Macdonald's four children and they got along well together.

"Whatever Ewen Macdonald thought about Scott, whatever he thought about Kylee, is there any evidence in the world that he despised his only wife and children so much that he would inflict this type of enduring legacy upon them?"

Mr King has urged the jury to make their verdict based on evidence and not submissions from the Crown.

He's also questioned evidence that Macdonald was heard correcting people that Scott Guy had been shot when they claimed he had had his throat slit.

Mr King says the idea that Macdonald knew Scott Guy is not only fictional but a fantasy.

The Crown gave its closing statement in the High Court at Wellington yesterday, with the defence due to finish its argument when court resumes today.

The Crown claims Macdonald's resentment towards Scott Guy eventually led him to murder.

But that's denied by Mr King, who began his closing statement yesterday by telling the jury there's a lack of cold hard evidence in the case.

Justice France is due to begin his summing up on Monday.

Photo: NZ Herald