Chrestman Recants, Denies Slaying Simi Resident : Trial: The defendant, who faces murder charges, testifies that he confessed to the crime only because he thought that’s what police wanted to hear.

The suspect accused of murdering a Simi Valley man in a campground above Ojai denied being the killer Wednesday and testified he confessed to police only because he believed that was what they wanted to hear.

Timothy E. Chrestman, 20, of Port Hueneme, also alluded to his claim that Andy Anderson was shot and killed by a Latino gang member named Angel, who then kidnaped Chrestman and forced him to drive the dead man’s truck to Hollywood.

Chrestman’s testimony is scheduled to resume today.

Seeming relaxed during an hour on the witness stand, Chrestman denied that he killed Anderson and his dog so he could steal Anderson’s truck and leave Middle Lion’s Campground, where his father had left him for three days to plan what he wanted to do with his life.

Chrestman described himself as a mellow and nonaggressive person who would go out of his way to avoid confrontations.

“Have you ever started a fight with anyone?” defense attorney Steve Pell asked.

“Maybe with my brother when I was little, but I don’t think so,” Chrestman replied.

Chrestman faces murder, robbery and other charges in connection with the March 4 slaying of Anderson, 24. Arrested two days after the killing, Chrestman first told sheriff’s detectives the kidnaping story and said he escaped from Angel in Hollywood and walked from there to Zuma Beach.

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When the detectives said they did not believe that story, Chrestman gave two other versions before finally admitting he was the killer. However, he insisted in those versions that the shooting was an accident.

In his testimony, Chrestman said he always starts with the truth when asked about something and, if he is not believed, he will tailor his story to please the listener. He also said he did not believe he was considered a murder suspect during the interrogation because the detectives were so friendly.

“I was extremely tired, extremely hungry, thirsty, my feet hurt,” he said in explaining his state of mind during the interview. “ . . . All I wanted to do is go home. That’s still all I want to do, is go home.”

Chrestman said he believed the detectives would discover through their investigation that the kidnaping story was true, but “they never looked into anything, from what I gathered.”

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Prosecutors claim Chrestman was unhappy at home and wanted to run away to Florida. On March 1, Chrestman’s father headed off his son at a bus station and took him home for a serious discussion on his plans for life.

The next day the elder Chrestman dropped the defendant off at the campground.

During his testimony, Chrestman denied that he was desperate to go to Florida. He said his parents would have helped him get anywhere he decided to move.

Prior to Chrestman taking the stand, his mother testified as a character witness on his behalf. Susan Chrestman said she can tell when her son is lying, and she believes the kidnaping story is true.

“I spent 19 years with him,” Susan Chrestman said. “I think I know him.”