They left just after 1am, having lost $300.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said the pair smoked methamphetamine together but within hours, Kennedy \u2013 or \u201cRosco\u201d as Eddy called him \u2013 would be dead.<\/p>\n
The Crown alleged Eddy told several people, including police at the scene, she had strangled him. <\/p>\n
She later gave a different version of events in a video interview with police.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said Eddy told police on video she became upset with Kennedy masturbating in her tent, and he would not stop when asked.<\/p>\n
She said she left the tent and had a cigarette. Kennedy eventually zipped up his pants and said something sexual to Eddy.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said the jury would hear Eddy say in her video evidence she got angry and sat on top of Kennedy through the tent, which collapsed on to Kennedy\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n
After some time sitting on the tent atop Kennedy\u2019s chest, Eddy realised he was no longer moving.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said it was the Crown\u2019s case that Eddy\u2019s version of what happened was not entirely accurate as an examination of Kennedy\u2019s body found marks around his neck.<\/p>\n
The next two days<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said later on October 4, Eddy went to Mana Meals, which provides food for homeless people in Tauranga.<\/p>\n
People involved in the service would give evidence Eddy appeared agitated, rocking backwards and forwards and shaking.<\/p>\n
The next night, Eddy attended another community meal for Tauranga\u2019s homeless put on by Under The Stars.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said Eddy told a volunteer she \u201chad to tell her something\u201d. Eddy told the volunteer Kennedy had stolen $200 from her and she had strangled him.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said Eddy told another associate at the meal service she had strangled Kennedy and wrapped his body in her tent. She said his body was still at Gate P\u0101 Reserve.<\/p>\n
She told another volunteer she had argued with Kennedy over money, and strangled him in a rage.<\/p>\n
The next day, October 6, the associate and his friend saw two police officers at a BP service station at Gate P\u0101. The associate told police what Eddy had told him the night before and described where her campsite was.<\/p>\n
A walkway through Gate P\u0101 reserve. Photo \/ Sandra Conchie<\/p>\n
The officers said they would have a look on their way to another job.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said the officers would give evidence that they drove past but saw nothing suspicious.<\/p>\n
Later that day, the associate and his friend went to the campsite. <\/p>\n
They saw Eddy and asked where Kennedy was.<\/p>\n
O\u2019Brien said Eddy pointed to a collapsed tent with clothes on top of it. The visiting pair could see the shape of a body. They left and called 111.<\/p>\n
The two police officers from earlier responded to the call. Eddy told them at the scene she had strangled Kennedy when their argument had got out of hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Crown said Eddy caused that asphyxiation and in doing so murdered Kennedy \u2026 Whatever she did, it was done intending to cause his death or being reckless as to whether that would occur,\u201d O\u2019Brien said.<\/p>\n
The defence case<\/p>\n
Bill Nabney gave a brief opening address to the jury, urging them to keep an open mind.<\/p>\n
He agreed Eddy told people and police at the scene she had strangled Kennedy.<\/p>\n
However, he said the jury should listen carefully to the formal video interview, when Eddy was more focused.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the issue will be, is did she cause Mr Kennedy\u2019s death?\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the next issue was whether she meant to do it, or whether there was something else going on.<\/p>\n
The Crown is calling 19 witnesses in an estimated two-week trial.<\/p>\n
Rita Nabney is assisting the defence case and Richard Jensen is prosecuting for the Crown.<\/p>\n