Accused murderer 'riddled with bruises' in lead up to son's stabbing

A Perth court has been told a man claiming he killed his son in self-defence was “riddled with bruises”, in the months prior to the alleged killing.

Ernest Fisher is on trial accused of murdering his son, and ordering his children to bury the body.

Defence witness Nusha Fisher became emotional as she described a family catch-up at the beach about six months before her half-brother Matthew was killed.

She said her father Ernest unbuttoned his shirt and showed her his torso – which she claims was “riddled with bruises of all different colours” some “larger than a tennis ball” and “it almost looked like a tie dye”.

Fisher has pleaded not guilty to murder, claiming he killed his son in self-defence after ongoing abuse.

The court was previously told after allegedly stabbing his son, the 67-year-old left to watch the AFL grand final, and ordered his children Joshua and Hannah to bury the body.

They’ve pleaded not guilty to being accessories after the fact.

Under cross examination, Ms Fisher admitted she’d never seen Matthew be violent.

She also claims she told police about the bruises she saw on her father but they weren’t included on her statement.

The lawyers will begin their closing submissions tomorrow.