Woman who witnessed partner's alleged murder to distraught to speak out
A woman who witnessed her partner's alleged murder told a jury she was too distraught to name the three men she claimed attacked him.
A woman who witnessed her partner's alleged murder told a jury she was too distraught to name the three men she claimed attacked him.
Elizabeth Bryce, 56, was giving evidence for a second day at the trial of Ronnie Coulter who denies murdering Surjit Singh Chhokar – who was known by everyone as Chhokar - in Garrion Street, Overtown, North Lanarkshire Mr Chhokar on November 4, 1998.
She told defence QC Donald Findlay that she only named one of the men, Andrew Coulter , to police – although she knew the other two men were Ronnie Coulter and David Montgomery.
In evidence she told the jury this was because she was angry with Andrew Coulter.
The jury heard that a meeting had been arranged between Andrew Coulter and Chhokar to sort out a dispute over a £100 Giro cheque. Chhokar believed that Andrew Coulter had cashed it.
Ms Bryce, 56, was asked by Mr Findlay: “If Andrew was one of those responsible because he was there why didn't you name the other two,” and replied: “I was angry at Andrew. That's probably why I said his name.”
She added: “I don't know. I was distressed. Chhokar was my worry. I wasn't thinking properly. I was distressed at my man lying dead at my feet.”
Mr Findlay asked Ms Bryce: “Why did you not think it was Andrew who stabbed Chhokar,” and she replied: “I didn't know who stabbed him. I just know three people were there and Chhokar is dead.”
Mr Findlay said: “You named Andrew Coulter for one obvious reason, you thought Andrew Coulter had stabbed him, didn't you,” and Ms Bryce replied: “I don't know why stabbed Chhokar.”
Earlier in her evidence at the High Court in Glasgow Ms Bryce, who was Chhokar's partner for four or five years, told of how he came home from working at a restaurant and was dragged across the road by three men.
She then told the court that Chhokar's dying words to her were: “They've stabbed me.”
Seconds later he collapsed with blood coming from a wound to his chest.
Ms Bryce told the jury: “He was dead. The amount of blood he lost, no one could have lived through that.”
And she insisted that Chhokar's last words were “They've stabbed me.”
But, Mr Findlay said to Ms Bryce: “It would be beneath contempt to suggest anyone would ever forget the dying words of a person they cared for, and she replied: “It would be.”
The QC then showed Ms Bryce a police statement she gave less than 19 hours after the death of Chhokar.
In that she said to police officers that Chhokar's last words were: “I've been stabbed.”
Mr Findlay said: “You've changed it from “I've been stabbed” to “They've stabbed me” and Ms Bryce replied: “No he said 'They've stabbed me.' He said “They've stabbed me.' I know what Chhokar told me.”
The QC then accused Ms Bryce of changing her evidence to suit her own purpose and she replied: “There were three people there and I don't know what one done it. One of them stabbed Chhokar. Maybe three of them stabbed Chhokar.”
Mr Findlay then said: “It's not even 19 hours and you are lying to the police,” and Ms Bryce told him: “My head was frazzled..”
During her evidence Ms Bryce admitted that she had been given community service at Hamilton Sheriff Court in 2012 for a £13,000 benefit fraud.
She will continue giving evidence tomorrow (Fri).
Coulter has lodged a special defence blaming his nephew Andrew Coulter and David Montgomery.
He also denies forging a £100.70 Giro cheque and breaking into Mr Chhokar's flat and stealing a cooker.
The trial before judge Lord Matthews continues.