Eaton man, Damian Kyle Beckerleg, on murder trial after he “killed his best friend” James Reimers with sword

Damian Kyle Beckerleg is facing a trial in the Supreme Court accused of the alleged murder of Carey Park man James Shane Reimers in May last year. In opening, State prosecutor Brett Tooker alleged Mr Beckerleg “killed his best friend” with a samurai sword following an argument that turned physical on May 21 last year. It was alleged the pair had been drinking and went fishing together near Leicester Reserve at Collie River, a five minute drive from Mr Beckerleg’s Cleveland Bay Avenue home. The court was told during the four to five hour fishing trip, an argument ensued that turned physical with Reimers “getting the upper hand” on Mr Beckerleg, punching him and causing cuts above his right eye and left ear as well as a swollen cheek. After Mr Beckerleg drove home, Mr Reimers allegedly walked to Mr Beckerleg’s home where the fight continued until Mr Beckerleg allegedly stabbed Mr Reimers with an 80cm arrow, with the arrowhead breaking off it’s shaft. After Mr Reimers managed to leave the property and call 000, Mr Beckerleg allegedly chased his victim with a metre-long samurai sword and attacked him. The court was told Mr Reimers was found deceased in the driveway of a nearby property with open wounds to his arms and legs and a number of stab wounds to his chest. The court was also told Mr Beckerleg and Mr Reimers had known each other since they were children. Defence lawyer Simon Freitag SC said his client admitted killing Mr Reimers after “things went horribly wrong” and Mr Reimers had threatened his and his family’s lives “among other horrible things”. Mr Freitag told the court the defence counsel accept Mr Beckerleg made an “unreasonable response” to the alleged attack, saying it was “too much to attack an unarmed man with a sword”. The trial continues.