Man found guilty of SA stabbing murder

A South Australian man who killed his neighbour after a "lengthy and bitter" dispute about fencing and stormwater runoff, has been found guilty of murder.

Darren Geoffrey Lorke stabbed Kevin Skeyhill, 51, in the chest at Tungkillo, in the Adelaide Hills, in 2017.

A jury on Thursday found him guilty of murder, rejecting his claims that he had acted in self-defence.

At the start of Lorke's trial, the Supreme Court was told that security cameras set up by the victim were removed by his killer in the lead-up to the stabbing and have never been found.

Prosecutor Mark Norman SC said, on the night of the killing, Lorke had armed himself with a knife and hid in a bush until Mr Skeyhill returned home with a friend.

Jurors heard Lorke stabbed his neighbour in the chest with a large camouflage hunting knife.

"Kevin Skeyhill collapsed and died at the scene," Mr Norman said.

He said Lorke admitted he had stabbed and killed Mr Skeyhill but immediately claimed he was acting in self-defence.

Lorke told a paramedic on the phone "I did it, I had to. I was protecting myself" and that he had been accosted by two or three men who were stalking him.

The neighbours had fought about fencing and stormwater drainage in the days before the death, and each had dug up a part of the other's yard.

Mr Skeyhill then set up "no trespassing" signs, floodlights and at least two security cameras after he spotted Lorke carrying an air rifle in his backyard.

Lawyers for Lorke said there would be no dispute that he stabbed Mr Skeyhill, but said he was acting in self-defence at all times.

Lorke shook his head when the guilty verdict was delivered while supporters of Mr Skeyhill cried in the public gallery.

He has been ordered to return to court in February for sentencing submissions.