Murder defendant Kirk Lankford testified in his own defense in Circuit Court this morning.

The 23-year-old delivered background biographical information and is expected to address the death of Masumi Watanabe when he resumes testifying later today.

Watanabe, 21, a visitor from Japan, disappeared the morning of April 12, 2007, while walking on the side of Pupukea Road on O'ahu's North Shore.

A technician with Hauoli Pest Control, Lankford said he was earning more than $72,000 per year last April, was married and the father of one young son with another son on the way.

He said he married his wife, Corinne, when she was 16 and he was 19. The couple owned a home in Kalihi but lived in a one-bedroom addition to the house and rented out the main dwelling to help make financial ends meet.

Defense attorney Donald Wilkerson previously told the jury that Lankford will testify that he accidentally struck Watanabe with his truck, injuring her slightly. When he tried to drive her to the home where she was staying, she jumped out of the truck, hit her head on a roadside rock, and died, according to Wilkerson.

Afraid he would lose his job and his family, Lankford later disposed of the body offshore of Kamehameha Highway near Kualoa Ranch, according to Wilkerson.

Watanabe's remains were never found.