THE twin brother of the man accused of murdering baby Zayden Veal-Whitting was at home on the night of the child’s death, the father of Harley and Ashley Hicks has told the Supreme Court.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Zayden was found bludgeoned to death and laying in a pool of blood by his mother on June 15, 2012.
Harley Hicks, 21, of Long Gully has pleaded not guilty to murder, aggravated burglary and theft.
John Hicks told the court his son Ashley was at home watching football with him on the evening of June 14.
He said Ashley went to bed about half time and could then be heard playing computer games.
Mr Hicks said he saw Harley the following day, and his son told him he was leaving Bendigo.
He said Harley had "mousey brown" hair on that occasion.
Mr Hicks told the court he next heard from Harley on June 19, when he received a phone call from Harley asking him to pick him up from the Gisborne football oval, which he did.
He said Harley then had white or "bleached" hair, but questioned whether answering questions about the colour of his son’s hair was "necessary".
The pair were then intercepted and arrested by police on the way back to Bendigo from Gisborne.
When questioned by defence counsel David Hallowes about why his earlier statements to police said he saw Harley on the 14th of June, not the 15th of June, Mr Hicks became confused.
However, he said he was not mistaken that Ashley was home all night on June 14.
When asked if he backdated entries in his diary about the night of June 14 to protect Ashley, Mr Hicks answered "protect him from what?".
The trial continues.
