Bikie murder 'impulsive reaction', court told

OFF THE WIRE
By ACT court reporter Katherine Pohl

Updated Fri Sep 24, 2010 5:17pm AEST

On trial: Russell Field has told a psychiatrist he lost control and felt like he was in a dream during the shootings. (ACT Policing)

Video: Double murder witness missing (7pm TV News ACT) Map: Canberra 2600 Related Story: Murdered bikie 'a great guy' Related Story: Witness missing in bikie murder trial A Canberra man on trial for allegedly murdering a Rebels bikie told a psychiatrist he believed he was going to be killed and had to save himself.

Russell Field is accused of murdering Gregory Peter Carrigan and Richard John Roberts outside his Chisholm home last year.

Field has pleaded not guilty and his lawyers argue he acted in self-defence.

The 22-year-old did not give evidence at his trial but a psychiatrist interviewed him to prepare a report for his case.

Field told police Mr Carrigan and Mr Roberts stormed into his garage in March last year.

Mr Roberts was a senior member of the Rebels Motorcycle Club and the ACT Supreme Court has heard Field's family had allegedly received death threats from another Rebels bikie.

Field told the psychiatrist when the pair stormed into his garage, the first thing that caught his eye was four tear tattoos on Mr Roberts, which he believed indicated he had killed four people.

Field said when the two men came in he went into a state of panic.

He said he grabbed a gun and shot Mr Carrigan, who he believed was closing in on him.

He said he was in a state of shock when he saw him collapse.

The doctor's report says after Field shot Mr Carrigan, Mr Roberts said to him "you've done it now kid, you're dead".

He then shot Mr Roberts outside on the street.

The doctor said his actions were a panicked and impulsive aggressive reaction to a situation which he believed was life threatening.

The trial before Chief Justice Terence Higgins will resume next week.