As final speeches from lawyers drew to a close today at the Billy Boy Martindale murder trial defendant Paul Groves' counsel, Graham Trembath QC, denied that Mr Groves had tried to "blacken" Mr Martindale's name.
He said that prosecution claims that he had were "not quite right."
He told the jury : "What Mr Groves has said is exactly what has been called into evidence by Mr Martindale's partner, Paul Meeking, who knew him best and was one of his best friends.
"He said Billy could be a brave guy, a good laugh, good fun but he had a short fuse, a violent temper."
However, prosecutor Simon Spence QC claimed in his summing up that the account Groves had given to the court of his going to the farm where Mr Martindale was battered to death was "totally lacking in credibility."
He continued : "Whatever you find the circumstances to be a man has lost his life and another was seriously injured in an argument over nothing much at all. Mr Martindale's battered and bleeding body was seen by others.
"If the defendant genuinely believed he was about to be attacked he is entitled to be acquitted of both charges.
"However, you may find his account totally lacking in credibility as we urge you to do."
Groves, 34, of Queensway, Ongar, denies murdering William Martindale, 39, at Mr Martindale's smallholding Meadow View Farm, Mill Lane, High Ongar, on 7 September last year.
He has also pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm to Mr Martindale's friend Paul Meeking, 54, of Barking, with intent.
The hearing continues.
