Darwin Supreme Court has been told that murder trial witness Mr Lee McLaughlin spoke to a friend at his campsite shortly before an Australian, Greg Bebensee, was murdered.
Lawyers for alleged murderer, Mr Trevor Stokes (26), of Naas, Co Kildare, have claimed Mr McLaughlin returned in a taxi to the campsite and later went back to Darwin town, where he could have killed Mr Bebensee.
Yesterday, a friend of Mr McLaughlin's, Mr Scott Cathcart (25), said Mr McLaughlin was "booted out" of a bar where they were drinking at about midnight, 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours before Mr Bebensee's murder.
Mr Cathcart said he returned to the campsite about an hour after Mr McLaughlin was ejected from the pub. He told Mr Rex Wilde QC, prosecuting: "I saw Lee when I got back to the campsite. He was talking to some fellows. I said goodnight to him and he said goodnight."
The prosecution alleges Mr Stokes bludgeoned 20-year-old Greg Bebensee to death with a hammer-axe taken from the back of his car and then made a campsite confession to travelling companion Mr McLaughlin (26), of Ballymena, Co Antrim.
Yesterday, Mr Cathcart, from Brisbane, told the court that he awoke before dawn and saw Mr Stokes sitting on his car and smoking a cigarette.
The trial previously heard Mr McLaughlin testify that both he and Mr Stokes smoked Winfield Blue cigarettes - the brand found near Mr Bebensee's body. Mr McLaughlin said he could not remember if he had given up smoking by the time of the murder. Yesterday Mr Cathcart was asked if he recalled Mr McLaughlin smoking on the night of the killing. He replied: "No."
Later, the police officer who first heard Mr McLaughlin tell of Mr Stokes's alleged confession gave evidence.
Det Sgt Shayne Maines said: "I would describe him as emotional and upset." He denied that Mr McLaughlin was offered immunity for informing on his friend.
The trial continues today.