Accused brothel killer claimed he had been robbed, court told

A MAN accused of a murder outside a Melbourne brothel told police he had been robbed, a court has heard.

De Jun "Kevin" Zheng, 33, is charged with murdering Abraham Marco Papo outside Madam Leona's Brothel in South Melbourne in February 2009.

Mr Papo, 27, died in his car near the brothel.

Senior Constable Rachel Dunkinson today told the Melbourne Magistrates Court she approached Zheng, who was standing outside a car and had blood on him.

She said asked Zheng if he was okay and he replied: "Yes, he robbed me."

Sen Const Dunkinson noticed Zheng was holding an iron bar and ordered him to drop it.

She then saw a man in the driver's seat of the car covered in blood.

Sen Const Dunkinson said the man appeared to be dying.

She asked Zheng if he had used the iron bar to smash a window in the car and he said he had.

But Zheng said he did not know if he hit the man in the head, the court heard.

Brothel manager Cheng Chang Wang told the court he saw an "Australian male" punch Zheng in the face inside the brothel.

Both men then ran out into the street and he heard them arguing.

In a statement tendered in court, Mr Wang said he could see Zheng standing at the driver's door smashing into the car.

He did not know if Zheng had anything in his hands.

The committal hearing before Magistrate Ian Watkins is continuing.

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