A man murdered a drug dealer who owed him money by bashing his head with a cricket bat and stabbing his leg with a knife, then bragged about how "gangster" it was, a Perth trial has heard.
John Paul Crossland admits causing the death of 42-year-old Richard Travis Holloway at a unit in South Perth in May 2013, but denies murdering the man.
Mr Holloway's body was found when a neighbour broke into the unit to feed his cat.
In his opening address, prosecutor Les Hobson told the Supreme Court jury that Crossland occasionally stayed at Mr Holloway's unit but became annoyed because Mr Holloway owed him money.
After the alleged murder, Crossland told several people what happened and described it as "gangster" but never mentioned he was acting in self-defence, Mr Hobson said.
It was only when he was questioned by police that Crossland explained the victim attacked first with the bat and Crossland reacted instinctively.
Mr Hobson said Crossland made it up to justify his actions.
The court heard Crossland also hid the cricket bat and changed his appearance by clipping his hair.
Defence lawyer Lisa Boston said her client did act in self-defence after Mr Holloway swung the cricket bat, which skimmed past his head before landing on a beanbag.
She said police were often called to the block of units over reports of violence and anti-social behaviour.
Ms Boston said being a drug dealer was "high risk" and Mr Holloway always carried a cricket bat as a "constant companion".
"Richard Holloway had a reputation for being violent. He had a reputation for being someone you didn't mess with," she said.
The trial continues.
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