A fantasist caught on camera smothering a computer repairman before attacking two more men while on the run in Italy has been accused of faking amnesia.
Jason Marshall, of Monega Road, East Ham, claimed to be a MI5 agent when he killed Peter Fasoli, 58, in his own home in Northolt, west London, in January 2013, the Old Bailey has heard.
Jurors were told that the 28-year-old allegedly tried to cover it up in a fire and stole hundreds of pounds before fleeing to Rome where he killed Vincenzo Iale, 67, and attempted to murder Umberto Gismondi, 54, within weeks.
Mr Fasoli’s death was put down to an accident for nearly two years until his nephew uncovered footage on a computer hard drive showing him being bound, gagged and asphyxiated with cling film.
Giving evidence, Marshall said he could not remember anything, although he accepted the man in the video was him.
Prosecutor Edward Brown QC said Marshall told a different story in his earlier Italian trial which led to his conviction.
He said: “What you did not say to the court was that you could not remember. Yesterday you claimed on oath that you could not remember a thing from the time you were partying with your family in England to the time you woke up in an Italian hospital.”
Marshall admitted he lied to Italian authorities because he did not swear an oath on the bible.
He said: “I could not remember anything but my lawyer said that’s not a good defence, you’ve got to come up with something better.”
The court heard how Marshall blamed someone else called Michael for Mr Iale’s death and claimed Mr Gismondi attacked him.
Mr Brown continued: “There is a really important fundamental difference, Mr Marshall, from the evidence that was able to be presented to the Italian courts and the evidence at the Old Bailey and that is the CCTV. You just cannot get away from it can you?”
Marshall replied: “I’m not trying to get away from it.”
Mr Brown said: “With respect you have got two choices given the strength of that unassailable material. You can say, yes I did intend to kill Mr Fasoli, or you can say, I cannot remember.”
The defendant said: “Don’t you think I would come up with a better excuse than I can’t remember?”
The trial continues.
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