Brierley Hill murder trial: Eyewitness describes moment Christopher Harm was stabbed
An eyewitness has told how bickering turned to bloodshed and sudden death when two cousins clashed.
Advertiser Alex Marshall employed both Glen Elvin and Christopher Harm and was travelling - and sleeping - with them in his van while touring the Black Country putting up circus posters.
They went out for a drink with the fourth member of the team at a pub on the Waterfront near Brierley Hill's Merry Hill centre, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
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Mr Marshall and the other man returned to the vehicle which was parked overnight in nearby Engine Lane while the cousins came back drunk after midnight on October 13 and woke him, the jury was told.
He explained: "They started bickering in the front seats and I told them to shut up and get out of the van where the argument continued. It was getting a little more heated and they were facing up to each other."
The row was supposedly triggered by talk of fights they had when younger in which 28-year-old Mr Harm got the better of the defendant. Mr Marshall observed: "Chrissie was a handy lad whereas Glen was all mouth."
A scuffle developed which did not last long and 26-year-old Elvin said he was going to his bed, claimed Mr Marshall who added: "I hoped this was good news and we could all get some sleep. I saw him going into his black duffel bag.
"Chrissie and I were just about to get into the van when Glen came out at a fast pace. Chris pointed out he had a knife and I saw it.
"I was keeping my distance but trying to calm Glen down, telling him that both he and Chrissie had kids and he would not see them again if he did what he did. I feared what did happen.
"Chris was pleading with him not to do what he ended up doing but Glen was angry and we couldn't talk him down.
"When he and Chrissie got close Glen started swinging a few times with Chrissie trying to block him - then he stabbed Chrissie who instantly looked scared.
"I went over to him, lifted his shirt and saw he was bleeding heavily from the wound."
Mr Marshall called the emergency services as Mr Harm, who had been stabbed in the heart, went in and out of consciousness. Paramedics and police tried unsuccessfully to save him.
Elvin from Fern Avenue, Stanley, County Durham denies murder and the trial continues.
