Supreme Court to the man accused of inflicting his near-fatal wound.

Testifying on the first day of Aaron G. Johnston's jury trial, Frederick Richardson, of Pembroke Parish, looked over to the defendant seated in the prisoner's box and said: "I'm sorry man. I didn't want any of this to happen; I don't want to see you go to jail for this.'' Johnston, 39, of Warwick Parish is charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, unlawful wounding, and possession of an offensive weapon. The trial is being heard before Puisne Judge Richard Ground.

The charges stem from an incident at the Devonshire Recreational Club. Police were called there shortly before midnight on October 13, 1995, following reports that a stabbing had taken place. Upon arrival emergency crews found Richardson lying unconscious in a pool of blood.

Richardson was taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital where he was treated for slash wounds to the arms, wrist and chest. A few days later he was transferred by air ambulance to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for surgery to repair knife wounds to the heart.

In addition to crime scene testimony by Police Detective Constable Theodore L.

Providence and cardiologist Dr. Shane Marshall, the court heard Richardson's version of events leading up to the stabbing.

Under questioning by Acting Crown Counsel Khamisi M. Tokunbo, Richardson told the jury he and two friends arrived at the club at about 11 p.m. and settled into the downstairs bar, where Johnston was working as a bartender. The two men, while not close friends, had prior exchanges.

In an incident prior to the stabbing Richardson -- admitting a fascination with the martial arts -- told the court he had inadvertantly "flex kicked'' Johnston in the head but there was "no bad blood between them.'' On the night of the stabbing Johnston had actually bought him a beer, Richardson said.

Despite having consumed five "Elephant'' brand beers earlier that night Richardson said all was going well until Johnston started to close the bar.

Despite requests by Richardson to keep the bar open Johnston refused and the mood became tense.

Richardson said he followed the defendant behind the bar and continued to press Johnston to keep the bar open. The situation became more heated said Richardson, who admitted he could not recall what happened next except to admit that he punched Johnston, striking him in the face.

"I don't where I hit him. I hit him with my right fist and he backed up; he went the distance then he came back. I remember seeing him pick up the knife and I remember trying to block it with my arms.

"I remember feeling hurt and feeling the blood on my shirt,'' he said.

Defence Counsel Richard Hector asserted Richardson used the earlier flex-kick demonstration to intimidate Johnston: "You were actually showing him how good you were, how bad you could be, weren't you?'' Mr. Hector also helped to fill in some of Richardson's memory: "Did you not go to the bar area and say to Aaron `boy, open up the bar before I slap you.' "Did not a friend (named Smith) come and lead you away from the bar and then you returned, saying `are you closing the bar because of me?'. Did not Aaron tell you to leave the bar area?'' When pressed on why he punched Johnston, Richardson quietly replied: "there's nothing I can say.'' Club treasurer Stephen Cuddington was present the night of the attack and told the court Johnston was frustrated with people wanting him to keep the bar open.

Under questioning from the Crown Mr. Cuddington testified he was behind the bar when Richardson punched Johnston. He and a second person separated the pair.

"The next thing I remember is Aaron starts groping,'' testified Mr.

Cuddington, "he's looking for something and finds a knife. He starts coming towards Richardson, moving the knife like an icepick.'' Under examination from Mr. Hector, Cuddington told the court that Richardson had already been escorted from behind the bar but had returned.

Johnston, attempting to ignore Richardson, was kneeling on a chair counting money when Richardson threw the punch.