Watson to a fight.

Det. Sgt. Raimondo Harrison, who has represented the force in the ring, denied taunting Watson and saying he would like to go a few rounds with him.

He said that during questioning about an assault on 68-year-old Wilbur Doe, he had "no problem'' with Watson and was not hostile or disrespectful to him.

Det. Sgt. Harrison was giving evidence on the ninth day of the trial of Watson, who is accused of beating Doe into a coma with a wrench. Doe died months later.

The court heard that Watson was arrested on December 11, 1988, two days after the attack. He was questioned on a sighting of his truck near Doe's McGall's Hill home on the night of the incident.

Defence lawyer Mr. Tim Marshall put it to Det. Sgt. Harrison that in the interview he referred to Watson's mother as "just one of the many women that Conch Shell Benjamin had gone through''.

The detective denied the allegation, saying he had previously known Watson as Shane Benjamin, and merely raised the subject of Watson's father "to reacquaint myself with someone I knew''.

He also denied mocking Watson's troubled childhood and saying Watson had a "personality disorder''.

Mr. Marshall put it to him: "You upset Mr. Watson to such an extent that he jumped from his seat and you dared him to fight with you, calling him a coward.'' Det. Sgt. Harrison said that was not true.

Mr. Marshall then grilled him on events on December 17, before Watson's late-night "confession'' to assaulting Doe.

He suggested Det. Sgt. Harrison threw a glass of water into Watson's face and brought him a sandwich soaked by a drink. The tactic was to make Watson feel "as awful as possible for as long as possible'', said Mr. Marshall.

Det. Sgt. Harrison denied the allegations.

Earlier, the court heard from Det. Sgt. Steven Shaw, who said that on December 13 Watson hinted he was not the culprit but knew who was, and asked about giving evidence in return for immunity from prosecution.

Watson denies premeditated murder. The trial continues.