Lukas Strasser-Hird trial hears from accused killer who admits to attacking victim

One of the young men accused in the swarming death of Lukas Strasser-Hird testified in his own defence today, telling the jury that while he did beat up the victim, he did not cause his death.

Joch Simon Pouk is charged with second-degree murder alongside Assmar Ryiad Shlah, Jordan Lee Liao and Franz Cabrera.

"I fought Lukas," said Pouk as he took the stand. "I used my hands.I used my feet.I kicked him while he was on the ground.

"I didn't stab him.I didn't see anybody with a weapon,"Pouk said.

"I want to make sure the juryunderstandsand the family understands thatI am not running away from myresponsibility."

'My mind didn't register to what my body was doing'

Pouk told the jury that he believed Strasser-Hird "sucker-punched" Shlah, so he went after the victim and the two exchanged punches.

At one point, Pouk said he had Strasser-Hird backed into the alley and was holding his head while kneeing the teen in the face before throwing him on the ground.

It was at that point others joined in the attack on Strasser-Hird.

Pouk testified that he kicked the victim in the stomach up to four times but was then pulled out of the swarm of attackers.

"My mind didn't register to what my body was doing at the time," said Pouk.

"I thought this was a bar brawl.I didn't know this was 20 people on one guy," he said.

"That's when I said 'I'm not going to be a part of this.'"

Racist slurs condemned by victim

A fifth man accused,Nathan PaulGervais, was charged with first-degree murder buthe disappeared weeks before the trial began whileon bail and remains at large.

Earlier in the trial, a DNA expert testified that Strasser-Hird's DNA was found on three of the accused's clothing items Cabrera's jacket,Shlah'sshoesand one ofPouk's shoes.

Court has heard evidence that Shlah became upset when he couldn't get his jacket, as the nightat Vinyl nightclubwas winding down.

One witness who was at the club the night of the attack described hearing Shlah call a bouncer a "dirty spic."

The initial confrontation occurred whenStrasser-Hirdwho had just returned from a year abroad in South America told the person identified asShlah there was "no need to be racist."

Strasser-Hird was then escorted back into bar for his own safety, the court heard,and he and his friendswere laterushered out the back door into analley.

But Shlah'sgroup was waiting forthemin the alley, Crown prosecutor Marlo MacGregor told the jury in her opening statement.

The prosecution presented about 80 witnesses to the jury.

This morning,FranzCabrera's lawyer,Gavin Wolch, elected not to call any evidence.

It is not yet known if the other two accused Shlah or Liao will testify in their own defence.

The trial continues Wednesday.

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