The jury has started their deliberation in the trial of Aaron Archer at Auckland High Court.
The 31-year-old is accused of killing his former girlfriend's two-year-old daughter Ariah Roberts, who died of a catastrophic brain injury at her home in Mangawhai last year.
- Ariah Roberts' mother accused of lying to 'protect' former partner Aaron Archer, who allegedly killed the 2yo
- Tensions high as Ariah Roberts' grandmother says 2yo was 'covered in bruises' days before death
- Force behind Mangawhai 2yo's fatal injuries equal to car crash - neuropathologist
In his closing statements, defence lawyer Ron Mansfield urged the jury to consider Aaron Archer's behaviour on the night of the Ariah's death, describing his vomiting, crying and distressed conversations as the reaction of an innocent man.
Archer maintains he lost grip of the toddler while spinning her around, causing her to hit her head on the wall.
"This was an accident. Something that doesn't happen every day but sadly happened to Ariah. And one that this man will have to live with for the rest of his life," Mansfield said in court on Tuesday morning.
But Crown prosecutor Brian Dickey says that while the Crown can't offer a motive, it's highly improbable that this was an accident.
"Not an abused child and certainly not the subject of an awful, awful assault on the 22nd of August, 2018, but a very unlucky two-year-old," Dickey said on Monday afternoon.
Justice Whata told the jury they could consider a charge of manslaughter, if they are not convinced that Archer had murderous intent.
"If you're not sure that he intentioanlly applied force to her, then you must acquit him on murder and manslaughter," Justice Whata told the jury on Tuesday afternoon.
The jury has started their deliberations.
Newshub.
