A regional NSW man has been accused of murdering a mentally impaired man with his bare hands while searching for a friend's runaway teenage daughter.
Anthony Davies is facing a jury trial for allegedly killing Kenneth Campbell in his home on Best Street in the central west town of Parkes shortly after 2am on May 6, 2020.
In the NSW Supreme Court criminal case, which is being heard by Justice Michael Walton in Orange, Davies has been charged with one count of murder.
He also faces two alternative counts of unlawfully killing Mr Campbell and beating him to death with his bare hands while intoxicated.
Arraigned in front of a jury panel and Justice Michael Walton on Tuesday, Davies pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
He was allegedly searching for his friend's teenage daughter who had run away from home in the streets nearby where Mr Campbell lived.
The crown prosecutor told potential jurors that Mr Campbell had a "traumatic brain injury which caused him to act strangely" and that he had been nicknamed "Chester the Molester" as a result.
While looking for the teenage girl, Davies allegedly entered Mr Campbell's home and assaulted the man in his bedroom, causing his death.
Davies has hired defence barrister Scott Corish to represent him in the case.
Members of the jury were selected and Justice Walton made opening remarks.
Opening submissions in the three-week trial will be made on Wednesday.
