Samurai sword trial: ‘God’s orders’ questioned
Antonie Dixon told so many stories since the evening he attacked two women and shot a man that he is struggling to keep track of all his lies, the Crown told the High Court at Auckland today.
Crown prosecutor Simon Moore today challenged evidence Dixon gave yesterday, including that God had commanded him to decapitate the women, that he saw snipers at the back of an ambulance and he saw a man with horns.
Dixon’s biblical visions were a recent and convenient fabrication to cover his actions, and he had failed to mention them to police after his arrest, Mr Moore said.
He also challenged Dixon over evidence he killed out of self-defence, saying instead of being frightened as he claimed, Dixon boasted to police and was pleased with the killing.
Dixon, 40, faces eight charges relating to incidents that occurred in January 2003 when Renee Gunbie and Simonne Butler were attacked with a samurai sword at Pipiroa near Thames and James Te Aute was shot dead in Auckland.
Dixon was found guilty in 2005 of eight charges, including murder and causing grievous bodily harm, but the Court of Appeal later ordered a second trial, suppressing its reasons for quashing the first trial.
Mr Moore often interrupted Dixon, asking him to answer the questions as he gave rambling accounts of his actions.
“The problem is you’re making so much up, Mr Dixon, you’re having trouble remembering what you’ve told people about this attack.”
Dixon replied it was 51/2 years ago and it was difficult to remember.
[…]Mr Moore challenged Dixon, saying if God was responsible for the attack and shooting, why he had not told one of the 11 people he spoke with shortly after he was arrested.
[…]Mr Moore asked why, in police negotiation tapes, Dixon was prepared to say he was the “chosen one”, but “nowhere do you say God directed you to kill the women”.
Earlier, Dixon told the court he “had no part of this world” due to his upbringing as a Jehovah’s Witness.