Girlfriend gives evidence at Surjit Singh Chhokar murder trial in Glasgow
A woman today described how her partner told her he had been stabbed after three men dragged him across the street , seconds after he arrived home.
The former partner of Surjit Singh Chhoker today told a murder trial of his final moments the night he died.
Elizabeth Bryce was asked by prosecutor Alex Prentice QC: “You looked out the window, heard a scream and then saw Chhokar being taken across the road how long did this take,” and she replied: “I'd say a minute or so.”
She said she ran outside, the men fled and she added: “Chhokar started walking across the road and that's when I met him. He said: 'They have stabbed me.''”
Ms Bryce said that he walked up to his car and leaned against it with his head in his hands. She said she could see no blood.
She continued with tears in her eyes and her voice breaking: “The next thing I know is there was a horrible noise and the blood just flew out of him and he just flopped down and fell on the ground.
“I just couldn't believe it. He was just lying there. I was angry, confused. I wanted to do something, but there was nothing I could do.”
Ms Bryce was asked by Mr Prentice: “Did you try to hit anyone with the spade,” and she replied: “No, but if I'd got my hands on them I would have.”
Mr Prentice then said: “Was Chhokar still alive,” and she replied: “No, no he was dead.”
The jury has heard from Ms Bryce that everyone referred to Mr Chhokar by the nickname Chhokar.
Under cross-examination by defence QC Donald Findlay Ms Bryce was asked: “This is not the first time you have given evidence in court about this,” and said: No, This is the third.”
The QC asked her if Chhokar was a violent man and she admitted he was and added: “He punched me, slapped me, flung things at me.”
It was put to her by Mr Findlay that she had organised a meeting between Andrew Coulter and Mr Chhokar for midnight the night he died.
Initially she said she couldn't remember and then when Mr Findlay again asked: “Why did you organise that meeting,” she said: “I did it and I was stupid. It was to see if they could sort it out.'
Then she again said she could not remember setting up a meeting.
The trial went down early this afternoon.
Mr Findlay told the jury: “The reason is that Mr Coulter suffers from health issues which affect his ability to concentrate and his short time memory. His medication is being controlled as best as it can.
" I'm anxious that the momentum of the trial continues, but today (Wed) I'm not satisfied that Mr Coulter can concentrate on the evidence of what is an important witness.”
Judge Lord Matthews told the jurors: “That's why we are having regular breaks. The accused has to follow the evidence so he can if necessary interject.”
The trial continues.