Jury in Surjit Singh Chhokar murder trial to resume deliberations
The jury in the trial of Ronnie Coulter, who denies murdering a restaurant worker nearly 18 years ago, will resume their deliberations today.
The jury in the trial of Ronnie Coulter, who denies murdering a restaurant worker nearly 18 years ago, will resume their deliberations today.
Coulter, 48, from Wishaw, denies murdering Surjit Singh Chhokar – known by everyone as Chhokar - in Garrion Street, Overtown, North Lanarkshire on November 4, 1998 by stabbing him.
He has lodged a special defence to the murder charge blaming his nephew Andrew Coulter and David Montgomery.
The jury considered its verdict all day yesterday.
At the High Court in Glasgow trial judge Lord Matthews told the jurors: “I understand you have still a bit to go in considering your verdict. Take as much time as you want.”
Earlier when the jury retired to consider their verdict Lord Matthews said: “It's not a case where you want to rush to judgement and I'm sure you won't do that.”
The judge also told the jurors there were three verdicts open to them – guilty, not guilty or not proven.
Both Andrew Coulter and David Montgomery gave evidence during the four-week trial and denied having anything to do with the killing of Chhokar.
Chhokar was stabbed three times in the chest. One of the blows went straight through his heart and he died from massive blood loss.