Clarence (Trees) Smith at the Southampton Rangers Club in February.

The victim's brother, Glenn Smith, testified yesterday for the prosecution on the second day of the Supreme Court trial of Ronae Burgess, accused of murder.

Smith told the court he brought a bag of pawpaws to the club for a friend on the night of February 20.

But a heated conversation ensued when Burgess called the victim's brother over and told him to give him some.

"He asked me what was in the bag. I said there were pawpaws and he said he wanted them.

"Me and Ronae ended up outside,'' Smith said. "Ronae asked me, `How come you didn't come when I called you'. I figured he had been drinking because he was in a serious mood.

"My brother approached him and they got into an argument. They badgered at each other and there were fighting words.

"Ronae told him, `You be here when I come back', and walked towards his house.'' A woman, walking to the club that night, told the court she saw the accused walk swiftly past her towards the victim.

"He ran into him (Smith). I thought they were joking,'' Enelda Smith, a former guest house employee told the court.

"When he pulled the knife out of Trees (Smith) the second time, I saw it,'' she said.

"The third time I tried to grab Ronae by his coat but he swung at me and knocked my hat off.

"He was somebody crazy. He couldn't get to me but he tried to. His eyes were popping out of his head and his veins were swollen. He had to be angry,'' she said.

But after questioning by defence lawyer, Mr. Julian Hall, Smith admitted she did not actually see the accused stab Smith as she claimed in her Police statement.

"I just assumed he did,'' she said.

Also at issue is the state of drunkenness of the accused on the night of the alleged stabbing.

Prosecution witness, Betty Berkley, who was at the club on February 20, said Burgess was "hyped and furious'' that night.

"While I was just trying to talk to him to calm him down, he pushed me to the ground.

"I'd never seen him like that before -- he was in a state,'' she said.

Later Burgess helped her to her feet and apologised, she said.

"He told me, `I didn't mean to do that. The two brothers are just messing with me'.'' A long time acquaintance of the accused, Gary Wellman, said Burgess told him he had spent the day drinking with his father and stopping off at bars.

But Wellman testified Burgess did not appear drunk when he saw him that evening at the club.

"He was talking normally and walking around.'' Crown Counsel, Mr. Brian Calhoun, has alleged Burgess stabbed Clarence Smith with intent to kill. After a verbal argument with the victim, Burgess left the club and returned brandishing two knives shortly after.

Smith later died from two three-inch knife wounds at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The case before the Chief Justice, the Hon. Mr. Justice Ward continues today.