The man accused of wounding four police officers in a house siege near Kawerau last year has told the jury that police created the chaos that led to the shooting.
Police officers at the scene during the siege Photo: Diego Opatowski
Rhys Warren, 28, is on trial in the High Court in Hamilton on charges including two counts of attempted murder and one of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Four officers were shot and wounded after entering the house at the centre of the nearly 24-hour siege in March last year.
Mr Warren, who has been representing himself, made his closing address to the jury today.
He said he was stressed and traumatised when armed police entered his house and he felt that he was fighting for his life.
He said the situation was tragic, but that police created the chaos.
Mr Warren accused the police of planting evidence and said that Crown witnesses colluded.
Justice Brewer has summed up the case and the jury has retired to consider its verdict.