Durban - A man who held Brett Williams in a choke hold until he passed out wanted the former Royal Marine to be charged with assault, the Durban Regional Court heard on Wednesday.
Grant Cramer, who was giving evidence in the trial of four men accused of beating Williams to death at a rugby stadium in Durban last March, said: “I wanted to lay a charge of assault against the deceased.”
Cramer explained that a photograph had been taken of his split lip to be used as evidence.
When asked why, he admitted that he had been upset at Williams punching him.
Cramer said his girlfriend had urged security guards to call police but there had been no response.
Cramer was giving evidence in the trial of brothers Blayne and Kyle Shepard, Andries van der Merwe, and Dustin van Wyk, who each face one charge of murder, three of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and one of crimen injuria.
They are accused of beating Williams to death outside Kings Park Stadium following a Super Rugby match between the Sharks and the Melbourne Rebels in Durban in March last year.
The court has previously heard that Cramer and Williams had a verbal spat that led to Williams punching Cramer.
Cramer then put Williams in a chokehold until Williams passed out.
Williams was then subsequently beaten up by a group of people alleged to be the accused.
Cramer, who was a best friend and former gym partner of Blayne Shepard, was initially charged with assault, but has denied being part of the final beating that led to Williams's death.
Christo van Schalkwyk, for the Shepard brothers, questioned Cramer as to whether he was aware that Williams had been robbed at knifepoint the night before in Durban's Florida Road.
He questioned Cramer as to whether he had seen any injuries on Williams prior to his altercation with the former Royal Marine.
The trial continues.
Sapa