Reece Watherston says he was acting in self defence when Jack Hanley died in Hindley St brawl

The man accused of throwing the punch that killed Jack Hanley in Hindley St has told a court he was acting in self-defence and was “scared for his own safety”.

• Victim ‘killed by powerful punch while trying to get away’
• Fatal punch ‘thrown with all force possible’, says eyewitness
• Young man ‘taunted as he lay dying’ on Hindley St
• Alleged fatal puncher has days to decide on defence case

A young man who allegedly punched and killed another male in a fight on Hindley St did not want to fight but was in fear of a “huge male” with clenched swinging fists, the Supreme Court has heard.

Reece Watherston, 21, took the stand in his own defence on Monday, recounting in minute detail the evening of drugs, alcohol and partying that led to the death of 22-year-old Jack Hanley on December 10, 2017.

Watherston told the court he had been staying out of the fight which broke out between his friends and a group, including Jack Hanley, at the intersection of Hindley and Morphett streets

The court has previously heard Mr Hanley was actively trying to avoid Watherston.

“I was staying out of it, I didn’t want to fight,” he said.

Reece Watherston leaves the Supreme Court with supporters on Monday after taking to the stand. Picture: AAP / Kelly Barnes

“I was worried for my friends, they were little guys compared to the other group.”

Watherston testified that he was pushed on to the street by an unknown person, sending him sprawling onto the road.

After picking himself up and moving back onto the footpath, Watherston said he was attacked by Mr Hanley.

“A huge male approached me with clenched fists swinging,” he said.

“I tried to dodge them and started swinging back. He was huge compared to me.

“I saw a fist go past my face and then I was dodging them and swinging back. They were big throws, he’s a big guy.

“I’m not a fighter, I don’t like to be in that situation. I was scared for my own safety. I never wanted to fight.”

Watherston said he only punched Mr Hanley once in order to “get him off me and to protect myself”.

After the fatal punch Watherston said he turned and walked away.

Jack Hanley

“I don’t remember seeing him fall, I just walked away,” he said.

“I just wanted to get the hell out of there. The spotlight (of the fighting) had sort of just drawn to me.”

Watherston has pleaded not guilty to one count of manslaughter.

Prosecutors allege he struck Mr Hanley “with all possible force” after their respective groups of friends had scuffled on the corner of Hindley and Morphett streets.

Multiple eyewitnesses have given evidence that Mr Hanley was struck even though he did not take part in the aggression.

They have also said the sound of his head striking the pavement was so loud that it was audible across the Hindley/Morphett intersection.

The court has heard all the men involved in the events had taken drugs including MDMA, cannabis and “nossies”, or inhaling small canisters of nitrous oxide.

Reece Watherston outside the Supreme Court. Picture: AAP / Kelly Barnes

Last Wednesday, as prosecutors prepared to close their case, counsel for Watherston asked the court for “an indulgence” of several days.

They said they needed time to determine “if there is to be a defence case”, and were given until Monday to decide.

In evidence given Monday morning, Watherston said he was a bricklayer and junior sportsman who had won several “best and fairest” awards, and was not used to public speaking.

“This (giving evidence) is an unfamiliar situation,” he said. “I’m feeling scared and very nervous.”

He said that on the morning of the incident he went to visit his grandparents.

He then met a friend at a nearby skate park and drank between one and two beers, before heading to that person’s house for a barbecue.

Watherston said that, at the barbecue, he drank “two or three” beers over the next four to five hours, and smoked “three or four cones” of cannabis.

“I was just planning to go home afterwards,” he said.

“My friend Frank Gerace talked about going out but I was not too into it.

“I wanted to save my money so I brushed over it saying, ‘I’m not going’.”

However boredom at home got the best of Watherston who called Mr Gerace at 9pm and invited him to his house to drink before heading to town.

Watherston and Mr Gerace were at Electric Circus nightclub until it closed at 5am.

Watherston admitted to the court he had purchased MDMA during the evening but said he had never felt aggressive while under its influence.

The trial, before Justice Anne Bampton and in the absence of a jury, continues.