At the time of his death, Jermaine (Red) Pitcher was caught up in a violent struggle, defenceless and being held by his attackers, a Supreme Court jury heard yesterday.

In a second day of testimony, forensic pathologist Dr. John Obafunwa said the gashes and stab wounds on Mr. Pitcher's arms and back were the result of him being attacked from behind and trying to protect himself from further stabbing.

Assistant Justice Archibald Warner and the eight-woman, four-man jury heard additional eyewitness testimony from Alexandria Dowling of the night Mr. Pitcher was killed.

Warwick residents Jamal (Chicke) Robinson, 28, and Keniel Ingham, 24, are charged with the unlawful killing of Mr. Pitcher on February 27, 2000, during a fight outside the Champion's night club on Reid Street.

Ryan (Tiger) Ball, who pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter for his involvement, was jailed for ten years earlier this year for his role.

Dr. Obafunwa, who performed the autopsy on Mr. Pitcher, said because of the victim's build and height - five-foot, 11-inches - he doubted that Mr. Pitcher would have passively stood still, continuing to be attacked. He said more than one person" took part in the attack.

He also testified that Mr. Pitcher's blood stained clothing had no less than 24 slashes and cuts, and said this suggested to him that the attackers were relentless in executing the stabbing.

"The victim's neck must have been held tightly against the collar of his jacket," Dr. Obafunwa said. "There were abrasions around his neck, caused by the zipper of his jacket - perhaps being restrained by one attacker while the other one did the stabbing. He was maintained in position for all of those injuries. At some point he subsequently faced his attacker - the stab wound to the back of the left arm was sustained while trying to ward of an attack from the rear. He was defenceless."

Dr. Obafunwa testified that Mr. Pitcher ultimately died of a fatal wound made by a sharp knifelike object that cut through his chest, piercing his left lung.

"He lost a considerable amount of blood," Dr. Obafunwa said.

In further evidence, a 31.5-inch blade that is alleged to be the fatal weapon was shown to the jury and Dr. Obafunwa said that it looked like the weapon he examined hours after Mr. Pitcher was killed.

The court heard also that an examination done on Ingham on the night Mr. Pitcher was killed showed the accused had cuts to his forearms and thighs done by a sharp object.

In cross examination Robinson's lawyer, Victoria Pearman suggested the marks on Mr. Pitcher's neck could have happened prior to his stabbing - and he could have been stabbed some time after.

Dr. Obafunwa said several cuts surrounding the fatal blow and the zipper abrasions were consistent with the victim being held, and if there was some other form of restraint, there would have been signs of it in the autopsy.

Alexandria Dowling took the stand late in the day to give eyewitness testimony of a fight scene between Robinson, Ingham, Ball and Mr. Pitcher. She testified she had known all three men for several years.

"I went to Champion's at about 3.15 a.m. - me and my cousin," she said. "When I crossed the street, by Joell's Alley, I saw a grey BMW, with Ryan Ball, Jamal Robinson and Keniel Ingham inside. We all went upstairs and had some drinks."

Ms Dowling said after a couple of hours at the club she wanted to go home and was offered a lift by Ball, but when she went downstairs to tell him she had made other arrangements, she saw Ball, Robinson and Ingham fighting with Mr. Pitcher's brother, Shane Fox.

Minutes later, Mr. Pitcher and the owner of the club came down to break up the melee, but Mr. Pitcher was drawn in and pounced upon by the three men, Ms Dowling said.

"They were between two cars fighting," she said. "Then I saw Tiger (Ball) walk towards his car and come back with something sharp in his hand. It was long and shiny. He told me to get out of the way. He went over to where the three men were fighting. I heard my cousin scream and when I ran over to calm her down, I went back and the fighting had stopped. I just saw blood everywhere. I was right there, about five feet away."

Ms Dowling is expected to continue her testimony when the trial resumes today.