Pauesi Leofa Brown appeared in Auckland District Court today for a depositions hearing to decide whether he should be committed for trial for murdering Mr Hemmings.
Mr Hemmings was stabbed to death on September 25 last year while trying to help a woman Brown was allegedly threatening.
Crown prosecutor Kevin Glubb said Brown was upset with what he saw as the woman's interference in his relationship with one of her colleagues.
He said that on September 25, Brown waited in Mills Lane, downtown Auckland, where he knew the woman, who has name suppression, had cigarette breaks.
That afternoon, she came to have a cigarette break and was on her mobile phone when she saw Brown.
Mr Glubb said Brown at some stage came towards her and tried to corner her and in a demanding voice asked what she had been saying about him.
She tried to get to the entrance back to the lift to her work, but Brown again blocked her.
Mr Hemmings then emerged down Mills Lane, at which point the woman asked him to call police.
"At that point, Mr Hemmings said `what's going on'," Mr Glubb said.
"The defendant said `It's none of your business'." Mr Glubb said Mr Hemmings then got between Brown and the woman. She then ran towards the lift which would take her back to her work.
He said Brown then ran towards her, and she saw him pull up his jersey, where she saw what she thought was a knife.
Mr Glubb said she then saw him go back towards Mr Hemmings.
He said she saw him pull his right arm towards himself, and then "saw a fast thrust forward at Mr Hemmings".
Mr Glubb said Brown then went back towards the woman, who was getting into the lift.
He said Brown forced his way into the lift and then swung a knife at her, which she managed to avoid, before he left.
Mr Hemmings staggered to the intersection of Mills Lane and Swanson St, where he collapsed. He received immediate medical attention but died at the scene of a stab wound, Mr Glubb said.
He said police managed to track Brown down and arrived at his place between 2am and 3am the next morning.
When police arrived Brown said he wouldn't make a statement, but he did say "how did you find me so fast," Mr Glubb said.
The depositions hearing is due to take two days.
