Prosecutor urges jury to 'convict' murder accused in Surjit Singh Chhokar trial
A prosecutor has urged a jury to convict Ronnie Coulter of the murder of restaurant worker Surjit Singh Chhokar nearly 18 years ago.
A prosecutor** has urged a jury to convict Ronnie Coulter of the murder of restaurant worker Surjit Singh Chhokar nearly 18 years ago.**
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.
In his closing speech to the jury in the High Court in Glasgow advocate depute Alex Prentice QC said: “On November 4, 1998 Surjit Singh Chhokar made his way home from his work with a bottle of juice and a takeaway meal, doubtless looking forward to a pleasant evening.
“He was confronted in the dark by three men. He was attacked, stabbed, killed, murdered and left in the street.”
Mr Prentice added: “I say to you the person responsible for that is Ronnie Coulter.
“I ask you to convict Ronnie Coulter of the murder of Surjit Singh Chhokar.”
Mr Prentice told the jury that they perform an important public function and urged them to put aside any emotion and not to speculate, but decide the case on the facts.
He added: “This is a tragic tale. This man's death occurred simply because Surjit Singh Chhokar's flat was broken into and his Giro cheque stolen. The incident which led to his death lasted only a couple of minutes if that, yet we have occupied four weeks exploring the events.”
The QC also urged the jury to ignore the fact that there have been two previous trials.
He told the jurors: “There are some unusual features about this case. You have heard quite properly that there have been two previous trials. Ronnie Coulter, Andrew Coulter and David Montgomery have all been tried for murder and all have been acquitted.
“In large part the previous trials are irrelevant. You have no idea what the evidence was or who the witnesses were.”
The jury has heard that Chhokar was stabbed three times – the fatal wound went straight through his heart - and he died of massive blood loss.
Andrew Coulter – Coulter's nephew – and David Montgomery are blamed by him for the killing.
Both gave evidence in the trial and admitted being there, but denied murder.
Mr Prentice told the jurors that it would be suggested by the defence that there was a conspiracy against Ronnie Coulter in order to get him convicted of murder.
Referring to the two men Coulter blames for the murder Mr Prentice said: “ Andrew Coulter is a killer who carries a knife. He pleaded guilty to culpable homicide of a man by stabbing him on the leg.
“Does that mean he stabbed Surjit Singh Chhokar . No it doesn't.
“There is a theme in cross-examination that he was seeking to divert blame from his uncle Ronnie for revenge or whatever.
“Andrew Coulter flatly denies having a knife that night and flatly denies stabbing Chhokar. “
Mr Prentice asked the jury: What was Ronnie Coulter's reason for being there. David Montgomery provided the lift and there was a dispute between Andrew Coulter and Surjit Singh Chhokar. Andrew Coulter had stolen and cashed his Giro.”
He claimed the trial had heard from "atrocious witnesses" who were "determined to say what they wanted to say for their own personal reasons".
The advocate insisted "not just white lies" had been told, but ones which were "deliberate and despicable".
The QC is due to finish his speech tomorrow.