Accused killer Alex Taylor gave a shaky interview to investigators in the wake of the 2007 shooting of George Davis, alluding to his own fragile mental state and Davis’ deteriorating physical condition.

A video of the interview was shown on Tuesday afternoon, during the second day of Taylor’s trial for shooting Davis, 62, in April, in Davis’ north Napa apartment.

Taylor, 26, has pleaded not guilty. If found guilty, Taylor’s defense attorney Jess Raphael will argue that his client is not guilty by reason of insanity.

Raphael is arguing that Davis, who practiced witchcraft, had powers over Taylor and the April 22 shooting was committed in self-defense.

Prosecutor Gary Van Camp contends that Taylor deliberately killed the man who had befriended him when he still in high school.

The interview shown Tuesday involved Taylor and Napa Police detective Amy Hunter, on the day George Davis’ body was discovered. The interview took place at the police station. At that time, Taylor had not been arrested, nor did he admit to the killing.

In the video interview, a fidgety Taylor answers Hunter’s questions.

“Are you on any medication?” Hunter asked.

Taylor replied that he is schizophrenic and has two brain tumors. “I took medicine but it didn’t help me, so I stopped,” he said.

Several times during the interview, Taylor referred to his schizophrenia and said, “I’m trying to keep it together.”

Taylor talked freely about Davis’ dealings with witchcraft and the hereafter.

“He did magic ... Tarot cards, crystal ball. He was teaching me spells. It was for protection for me,” Taylor said.

Hunter asked Taylor if he considered Davis a “peer or a father figure.”

“A little bit of both,” Taylor answered.

Taylor told Hunter he drove Davis once a month to his appointments at a Napa County mental health center.

“He seemed to be moping around,” Taylor said. “I know he had bad legs and a bad neck. It was hard for him to walk.”

Taylor said Davis had attempted suicide in the past by overdosing on eight aspirins.

“I think he wanted to go onto the next life. He talked about being reincarnated as a green dragon,” Taylor said.

Taylor said Davis had expressed he wanted to commit suicide, but if he did, “suicides go to hell,” Taylor said.

“He said it was OK if someone else did it, but not to let him see it coming,” Taylor said in the interview. “He said it was better if you let someone else do it”

Randomly, Taylor offered information about Davis. “He wasn’t a very good cook, but he was generous. He offered me his cookies.”

During Tuesday testimony, several Napa Police officers who were there when Davis’ body was discovered told jurors that Davis was found in his bedroom, sitting on the floor, his head against the wall and a single gunshot wound above his right eye.

He was discovered by an acquaintance who thought at first he had fallen and fatally injured himself.

Napa Police detective Jim Stephenson said he and his canine searched the area but did not find any weapons.

In the courtroom, Taylor was dressed in a dark blue sweater and blue pants, furiously scribbling notes in a journal while witnesses testified.

If found guilty of homicide, Taylor is facing 25 years to life in state prison.