The trial of the young woman accused of stabbing another girl while on a Bermynet cruise last summer began yesterday.

Felicia Sasha Renee Harris is the only person to be charged in relation to what Police called a "fracas" aboard the MV Bermudian during a booze cruise on July 2, 2005. She has denied unlawfully wounding Ariaa Marshall with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Crown counsel Graveney Bannister told the jury that Harris and Ms Marshall got into a dispute after Ms Marshall witnessed Harris and two friends attacking her friend on the upper deck of the boat. Mr. Bannister said Ms Marshall saw Harris on the lower deck shortly after and a verbal dispute ensued. During the argument Ms Marshall punched Harris twice before leaving the area. When she returned a short while later and saw Harris was still in an argument with her friends she punched her again.

Mr. Bannister said that Harris then drew a knife and "plunged" it into Ms Marshall's chest. During his opening statement he added that Ms Marshall was kept in the hospital for a week because of the wound she received. The wound was five centimetres in length and resulted in a partially collapsed lung.

Con. Jowl Hayward told the jury that he was called to Albuoy's Point at approximately 12.30 a.m. on July 2 to photograph the MV Bermudian. He proceeded to take pictures of the exterior of the boat as well as areas on both the lower and upper deck, a number of which appeared to show blood stains, he said.

He also took pictures of Harris's home on Sayle Road in Smiths and clothing found in it. Con. Hayward was also asked to take pictures of Harris, who was in Police custody at the time and said it appeared she had discoloration under her eyes.

Harris, who was 17 at the time of the incident, was treated by Dr. Jatinda Heir, who is a medical officer for the Police. She gave him permission to take a blood sample and he conducted an examination where he noted she had two black eyes.

He also told the jury that during his examination he found an abrasion on her right upper chest. When asked under cross examination by defence counsel Elizabeth Christopher if two black eyes were consistent with a broken nose he said he did not care to speculate.

"It's possible," he went on to say. "It could be caused by other things like blunt trauma to the face."

Dr. Heir also denied, twice, that he took finger nail scrapings from the defendant during the examination.

The trial continues and Harris, who is now 18, will return to Supreme Court tomorrow.