Thomas Bednar on trial for the murder of his mum Judy Bednar

A man on trial for the murder of his 78-year-old mother in Chelsea claims he was framed, while a family friend faces a courtroom interrogation.

Thomas Bednar is standing trial in the Supreme Court for the murder of his mother Judy Bednar.

Lawyers for a man accused of murdering his mother have interrogated a family friend about how he knew her body was found inside her bedroom.

Thomas Bednar, 54, is standing trial in the Supreme Court after claiming he was framed for the murder of his mother Judy Bednar, 78, by family friend Danny Cohen who took on a carer role for the elderly woman.

On Thursday, Mr Cohen was questioned by Mr Bednar’s lawyer John Desmond about messages he sent a friend in the hours after police discovered Ms Bednar’s body in her Chelsea home on May 15 last year.

In the messages shown to the jury, the friend asked Mr Cohen if Ms Bednar’s body had been discovered.

“Ofcourse (sic). She was in bed,” he replied.

Mr Cohen explained he knew those details after overhearing police officers via the home’s electronic door bell which he had access to on his phone.

Judy Bednar’s body was found in her Chelsea home on May 15 last year.

“There’s a video of two members of the police talking about that there is a lot of blood in the bedroom and something about the bed, and that was clearly heard on the doorbell,” he said.

Mr Desmond grilled Mr Cohen, telling him it was not a plausible explanation.

“You’re just making up things as you go Mr Cohen, you’re lying,” Mr Desmond said.

“You’re calling me a liar again, I’m not a liar,” he replied.

On Wednesday, Mr Cohen was also questioned why he had told the same friend that Mr Bednar had killed his mother despite not knowing she was dead until he arrived at the address.

“Can you explain how you could be writing a text message saying ‘Tommy killed Judy’ …

before you arrived approximately half an hour later at Drinan Road?” Mr Desmond said.

Mr Cohen said he could have already viewed security footage on his phone which showed the alleged killer leaving the home though he could not remember exactly which video it was.

When asked if he was at the home when the alleged murder was believed to have taken place, Mr Cohen said: “No.”

In his opening address, Mr Desmond said he would make it “clear” that Mr Cohen would be nominated as an alternate suspect.

Prosecutors allege Mr Bednar murdered his mother because he blamed her for having him involuntarily admitted to hospital for mental health treatment.

The trial previously heard they had a “fraught” relationship and he told his mother her flesh would be eaten by “sharks”.

The trial continues.