Calling accused murderer Kirk Lankford "narcissistic," "manipulative" and "cunning," city Prosecutor Peter Carlisle asked jurors in closing arguments today to consider the former pest control worker a "false witness" intent on covering his tracks.

"This case has lasted weeks. There have been dozens of witnesses. But in the final analysis, this is not a complicated case. In many ways, it is simplicity itself. Do you believe the defendant, Kirk Lankford, is a credible witness or a false witness?" Carlisle said. "There is a reason why the defendant intentionally covered up what happened on Pupukea Road. The reason ... was to cover up the terrible crime he committed."

Lankford's defense attorney, Don Wilkerson, countered by bashing the credibility of the prosecution's witnesses and by taking jurors again through Lankford's version of what occurred on April 12, 2007, when 21-year-old Japanese national Masumi Watanabe was killed.

"Mr. Lankford told you what happened here. He was remorseful. His voice was as low as it could go. He had as much remorse as a man could have," Wilkerson said. "What happened was Mr. Lankford accidentally hit Ms. Watanabe with the side of his truck. The shy, introverted young woman became scared out of her mind and dove out of the truck."

Lankford, 23, has testified that he tried to drive Watanabe home after he accidentally sideswiped her with his Hauoli Pest Control truck as she stood by the side of Pupukea Road. He said she had only minor injuries after the accident, but died when she became frantic and jumped out of his moving truck, hitting her head on a rock on the side of the road.

Fearful of losing his job, Lankford said, he then put Watanabe's body into his truck and completed a day of work. That night, he testified, he took the body out to sea wrapped in plastic bags.

Her body has never been found.

About 40 members of the public crowded into the courtroom for the closing arguments, which started about 9:15 a.m. and wrapped up by 4 p.m., with a lunch break and recesses further drawing out the proceedings. Lankford, dressed in a black pinstriped suit, occasionally shook his head during Carlisle's closing arguments, but otherwise watched stoically or took notes.

Circuit Court Judge Karl Sakamoto told jurors to consider three different alternatives for finding Lankford guilty: murder by commission, or intentionally killing someone; murder by omission, or failing to help someone at the scene of the crime and knowing that without helping them they will die; or manslaughter.

The 12-member jury must come to a unanimous decision.