officer almost collapsed on the witness stand at the trial of Ronae Burgess, accused of murder.

P.c. Adrian Cook, a prosecution witness, began to shake violently and clutched the sides of the witness box seconds before defence attorney, Mr. Marc Telemaque began his cross-examination.

Court officials and defence attorneys, Mr. Julian Hall and Mr. Telemaque rushed to his aid as P.c. Cook was carried off the stand.

But after a brief recess, he resumed his place in the witness box and calmly responded to questioning by Mr. Telemaque.

Earlier P.c. Cook told the court that Burgess, 20, smelt of alcohol when he was arrested at his home at Scenic Heights in Southampton, two hours after he allegedly stabbed Clarence (Trees) Smith.

Witnesses say they saw Burgess and Smith arguing violently before the incident at the Southampton Rangers Sports Club last February 20. Smith died hours later at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital from two stab wounds in his abdomen after emergency surgery failed.

"Burgess appeared to have been drinking, he did not appear to be drunk,'' P.c. Cook said. "He was very calm and walking around very easily.'' But the defence, which began its case yesterday, alleges the accused was intoxicated and out of control when the killing took place.

Burgess, who took the stand yesterday, said he went on a pub crawl with his father, Tony Bean, on the afternoon of February 20.

In the space of eight hours, Burgess said he drank 18 Heineken beers at bars in St. George's and Hamilton and at the Elbow Beach Staff Club before arriving alone at the Southampton Rangers Sports Club.

"I was well drunk,'' he told the court.

But under cross-examination by Crown Counsul, Mr. Brian Calhoun, Burgess admitted he was not poorly coordinated, staggering or falling down at the time of the incident.

Burgess told the court he exchanged a friendly greeting with Clarence (Trees) Smith, his cousin, on arrival at the club. But a violent argument erupted when Smith tried to intervene in a conversation between Burgess and Glenn (Bird's Nest) Smith, the victim's brother.

"He (Clarence Smith) threatened to slap me,'' said Burgess. "I was scared.

He had a very serious face.'' Burgess admitted telling Smith, "You be here when I get back'', before returning to the club minutes later with two kitchen knives.

"I was really drunk at that time. My head was all heated up,'' Burgess said.

"I just wanted to scare him so he wouldn't bother me. I was just going to flash them.'' Burgess claims he shouted at Smith through a window to come outside.

"He was suddenly standing over me. It scared me so much I stood back and stuck the knife out.

"I held my knife out and it just happened to go through him,'' said Burgess.

In a speech to members of the jury, Mr. Hall urged them to be objective when choosing a verdict.

"Don't say people shouldn't be allowed to get away with murder just because they were drinking too much,'' he said.

"From a discussion about pawpaws erupted a row between the deceased and the accused which led to threats, anger and a very loud and verbally violent confrontation,'' Mr. Hall said. "The accused will say he was threatened by the deceased and provoked.'' "Was this murder or manslaughter or neither?'' he asked.

The defence will also attempt to prove that provocation, diminished responsibility, self defence and accident or misadventure were reasons for the alleged killing.

The Supreme Court trial, expected to end this week, continues before the Chief Justice, the Hon. Mr. Austin Ward today.