The Crown alleges Heremaia murdered Smith, who lived a few doors down from him in a block of flats, by beating and stabbing her along with Rafferty, after an argument broke out while the trio were drinking and smoking cannabis. Crown prosecutor Erandi Rangamuwa told jurors Smith had been “severely beaten and stabbed” in Heremaia’s flat during level three lockdown in May 2020. “Mr Heremaia was left with Ms Smith’s body and her blood on his hands and face,” Rangamuwa said. Rangamuwa said a few hours after Smith’s death, Heremaia sought help from his girlfriend who lived in the same block of flats on Great North Rd. She told Heremaia to call an ambulance.