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The British man accused of murdering Bali police officer Wayan Sudarsa has apologised to the family of his victim, but says he was "forced to protect himself from the policeman during a terrible 'accident'".
Key points:
- David Taylor apologises to "the beautiful country of Bali… and mostly to the family of [officer] Wayan Sudarsa for their terrible loss"
- Taylor says he was forced to fight for his life on the beach after Sudarsa tried to choke him
- Taylor's lawyers have appealed for leniency, citing his good attitude during the trial
David Taylor told the Denpasar District Court that he wanted to say sorry to "the beautiful country of Bali and all the people who live here and to the police force and the colleagues of Wayan Sudarsa. But mostly to the family of Wayan Sudarsa for their terrible loss."
Taylor's lawyers asked the judges in the trial for leniency in sentencing, taking account of Taylor's good attitude during the trial as well as the fact that he is young and has his family's support.
Taylor admits beating Sudarsa unconscious during an argument over a missing bag that belonged to his girlfriend, Byron Bay woman Sara Connor. She is also charged with murder, although prosecutors have recommended a manslaughter conviction for her.
Earlier in the trial, a forensic expert told the court that Sudarsa died on the sand several hours after Taylor smashed a beer bottle over his head.
Taylor says that he was forced to fight for his life after Sudarsa tried to choke him.
On Tuesday Sara Connor addressed the judges in her trial — on Wednesday it was David Taylor's turn to directly speak to the court.
"It fills me with the deepest sadness I've ever felt to be part of the loss of a human life," he said.
"It's never been my intention to cause harm to anybody.
"I was unfortunate enough to find myself in a terrible situation where eventually I was forced to protect my own life."
Both Taylor and Connor are charged with murder, but prosecutors have asked the court to convict them of manslaughter and sentence them to eight years in jail.
After addressing the judges, Taylor told media that he was "hoping for the best" and hoped the judges would be fair.
That is in contrast to Ms Connor's pessimism. She said on Tuesday that the prosecution recommendations have caused her to expect the worst.
"I've lost all the hopes to see my children growing up," she said.
The court is set to hand down a verdict on both accused in mid-March.
Topics: law-crime-and-justice, murder-and-manslaughter, bali, indonesia