'Heart wound killed waiter'

The case is being heard at the High Court in Glasgow

The trial of two men charged with killing an Indian waiter has been told the man who died had no chance of surviving a knife wound to the heart.

Pathologist Dr Jeanette McFarlane said the attack on Surjit Singh Chhokar was so severe that the weapon had gone through the heart, slicing a major artery and damaging the victim's liver.

David Montgomery, 23, from Motherwell, and Andrew Coulter, 19, from Wishaw, are accused of murdering Mr Chhokar outside the home he shared with his girlfriend Elizabeth Bryce.

Surjit Singh Chhokar: Died in 1998

The pair deny stabbing and murdering Mr Chhokar in Overtown on 4 November.

The two have denied the charge and have lodged a special defence blaming the murder on Mr Coulter's uncle Ronnie Coulter.

Mr Chhokar, who was said to have been attacked by three men, suffered two other stab wounds to the body, one potentially serious.

Dr McFarlane told the High Court in Glasgow that the deceased had lost a "massive amount of blood" but would still have been able to move a few yards after the fatal blow.

Staggered to car

Earlier, the court heard Mr Chhokar was seen staggering towards his car and leaning on it after being attacked.

Ambulancemen described how they gave on the spot treatment but there were little signs of life.

Resuscitation continued on the way to Law Hospital without success.

Mr Chhokar's family have attended the trial

Mr Chhokar's girlfriend Ms Bryce had told the court she saw her boyfriend waving up to her at the window and was turning to open the door when she heard a scream.

She said the two accused and Ronnie Coulter all held Mr Chokkar and were pushing him backwards.

Ms Bryce further alleged she saw Ronnie Coulter "swinging" something up at Mr Chhokar and how the three ran off when she shouted and swore at them.

She said Mr Chhokar staggered towards his car and she heard a "wooosh" sound and then saw blood all over the place.

Dr McFarlane agreed that it was very possible this is what happened with blood pressure building up as Mr Chhokar took his last few steps.

The trial before Lord Bonomy continues.