A Wollongong man accused of murdering a Kooringal High School student has admitted to stabbing the teenager multiple times, but claims he was “attacked”.
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Bryce Cliff, who is alleged to have murdered 16-year-old teenager James Cleghorn, was again called to the witness box during the Wagga Supreme Court trial on Tuesday.
Cliff, of Wollongong, has pleaded not guilty to murder.
During the cross-examination Crown prosecutor Max Pincott asked about the break-up between Cliff and James’ sister.
“The break-up was a very bad one?” Mr Pincott asked.
“I came out of it pretty well actually – I got the house,” Cliff said.
Cliff told the court on June 7, 2016, there was a “tussle” at the family’s Acacia Street home, during which he “lost control” and stabbed James “multiple times”.
“I was a lot bigger than him and I know I used that knife, I don’t know if it’s really self-defence but partially just to control the situation,” Cliff said.
“You thought grabbing the knife was self-defence?” Mr Pincott asked.
“I was confused and a little bit scared,” Cliff said.
The court heard Cliff had sent a number of Facebook messages to James’ sister after the break-up telling her she had “totally ruined his life”.
“That (the stabbing) wasn’t retaliation – it was revenge,” Mr Pincott said.
“Was it?” Cliff asked.
“You answer the question,” Mr Pincott said.
“It wasn’t revenge,” Cliff said.
Cliff gave evidence that he was under the influence of methamphetamine during the alleged murder.
“You still know what you’re doing on ice,” Cliff said.
“You know what you’re doing when you’re slashing and stabbing a young boy?” Mr Pincott asked.
“No,” Cliff said.
“Oh – there’s a difference is there?” Mr Pincott asked.
“Yes because I was attacked,” Cliff said.
Mr Pincott asked Cliff if he could recall the moment he stabbed James below the knee.
“I can’t recall,” Cliff said.
“You seem to be able to recall the rest of the day?” Mr Pincott said.
“It was very tense,” Cliff said.
“You’ve had 18 months to think about this case haven’t you?” Mr Pincott asked.
“To get my side of the story across, yes,” Cliff said.
“Let me suggest to you that you’re reconstructing what happened in the room that night?” Mr Pincott asked.
“I’d say you’re wrong,” Cliff said.
The trial continues on Wednesday
