Chhoker trial: convicted killer denies murder confession
Andrew Coulter, 35, told a jury at the High Court in Glasgow that the alleged confession never happened.
A convicted killer today denied confessing to his uncle that he had murdered restaurant worker Surjit Singh Chhokar by stabbing him.
Andrew Coulter, 35, told a jury at the High Court in Glasgow that the alleged confession never happened.
Mr Coulter, was giving evidence for a third day at the trial of his uncle 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 by stabbing him.
Ronnie Coulter, 48, from Wishaw, has lodged a special defence blaming his nephew Andrew Coulter and David Montgomery, whose nickname is Chez.
Defence QC Donald Findlay said: “After Ronnie was acquitted of murdering Chhokar, at some time the two of you were out of prison you had a conversation about the events involving Mr Chhokar. Do you remember a conversation,” and Andrew Coulter replied: “I never spoke to Ronnie when I got out of prison.”
Mr Findlay went on: “You had a conversation about what happened that night. It was a short conversation. You weren't speaking and Ronnie said; 'Was it Chez' and you said: 'No.' and he said: 'Was it you,' and you said: 'Yes.'
Andrew Coulter responded: “No that's lies. That never happened. ”
Defence QC told Andrew Coulter that he was a liar and had murdered Chhokar and the witness replied: “I didn't. You're doing your best for your client and I respect that. If you're believing everything he says then he's taking you for a mug, just like he's taken everyone else for a mug all these years.”
The jury has already heard that Andrew Coulter was convicted of killing Patrick Kelly in 1999 by stabbing in the leg with a knife and was sentenced to six years detention.
David Montgomery, 39, from Motherwell, a fabrication worker, has told the jury that he drove Andrew and Ronnie Coulter to Chhokar's home in Garrion Street, Overtown, on November 4, 1998.
He revealed to prosecutor Alex Prentice QC that a meeting had been arranged between Andrew Coulter and 32-year-old Chhokar over a stolen Giro cheque.
Mr Montgomery said that he got a call before midnight from Andrew Coulter asking him to drive him there.
Mr Prentice said: “Had you expected to see Ronnie,” and he replied: “No. He just said he was coming with us.”
Ronnie Coulter denies all the charges against him.
The trial before judge Lord Matthews continues.