A man accused of murdering his father on the New South Wales north coast has told the Supreme Court he lied to several insurance companies when taking out policies in the victim's name.
Michael Phillip Martin, 28, is accused of killing his father, 46-year-old Michael Anthony Martin, at a home near Murwillumbah in 2014.
The Supreme Court in Lismore has heard Mr Martin Snr was severely bashed during an alleged attempt on his life in April 2014, and died after another attack two months later.
The jury of eight women and three men today heard the accused took out life insurance on his father worth $2.5 million in the months leading up to his death.
Under cross examination, Mr Martin Jnr told the court he took out three policies using his father's name, but his own personal details.
"I know it's a lot of money, but that's what Dad wanted," Mr Martin Jnr said in a police interview that was read to the court.
He rejected the prosecution's assertion that he took out the policies without his father's knowledge, telling the court his father felt threatened and feared for his life.
"He said 'son I f**ked up … I don't want to involve you in this, but I want you and the kids set up when I go'," Mr Martin Jnr said.
But the court also heard parts of a transcript recording the accused man's conversation with an insurance claims agent.
"My father passed away last year, I wasn't aware he had this policy," Mr Martin Jnr allegedly said.
When repeatedly challenged by Crown Prosecutor Brendan Campbell over whether he had lied to the insurance companies, Mr Martin Jnr said, "yes."
"Your bright idea would only work if he [your father] was killed," Mr Campbell said.
"It would only be paid out if he did, yes," Mr Martin Jnr said.
The trial continues.
