A hushed court heard a man describe how Rebecca Middleton tried to speak to him as she lay dying in the road at Ferry Reach.

Dana Rawlins was the first person to come across the teenager as her life ebbed away on July 3, 1996.

He told how she appeared to have a strong pulse and tried to speak to him -- but she died shortly afterwards from multiple stab wounds.

"I asked her if she could hear me, at first she tilted her head towards me. I asked again if she could hear, she couldn't say anything -- she just had a tear in her eye.

Mr. Rawlins had came upon Miss Middleton between 3.30 a.m. and 3.45 a.m., as he drove to Ferry Reach with friends Coy Fox, Antonio Clarke, Sharon James and Angela Johnston.

"She was lying face up and the only clothing she had on was a torn shirt,'' he said.

"I checked for a pulse on the right wrist, she had a strong pulse.'' He described how her throat was cut and there was a hole in the side of her neck.

"I knew that I had to get help. We went back down Ferry Road and called 911.'' Under cross-examination from defence counsel John Perry QC, Mr. Rawlins said it appeared that Miss Middleton was conscious of her surroundings.

"Did it appear that she was trying to tell you something,'' he asked.

"Yes,'' was the reply.

When he returned he checked her pulse again, which was faint, and realised she was slipping away. Shortly after the Police arrived on the scene.

Near to the body was a denim skirt and underwear, he said.

The testimony came on day three of the murder trial in the Supreme Court, before Puisne Judge Vincent Meerabux.

Justis Smith, 19, of Deepdale Road East, Pembroke, denies premeditated murder.

Rebecca Middleton, 17, a Canadian who was staying with her friend Jasmine Meens for a summer holiday, was found viciously murdered after a night out in St. George's.

She had been sexually abused, tortured and stabbed numerous times during an horrific attack.

The Crown allege that she was killed after accepting a lift on a motorcycle from Kirk Mundy and Justis Smith.

Earlier in the day, Det. Con. Calvin Smith read out parts of a statement given by Justis Smith on July 10, 1996 -- a week after the killing.

He said he and Mundy had gone to St. George's, where they had drinks and danced at the Moonglow bar. He said they left on Mundy's bike shortly after 3 a.m. and saw a couple of people on the way.

They then stopped by the side of the road where Seon Smith had broken down, and proceeded to Pembroke, after passing a couple of Police officers in Flatts.

At Justis Smith's home they talked for a while before Mundy left.

On July 12, Smith was charged with premeditated murder.

John Perry QC said Smith had voluntarily given blood and samples of his pubic hair for analysis.

He said there was nothing that could justify accusing Smith of murder on that day.

In September, a search was made of Smith's home. His mother, Valerie, directed Police to a room used by him.

the kitchen a box of steak knives.

But John Perry asked Det. Con. Smith if he knew that another search had been made of the home in July. He replied: "I can't say.'' Today, the jury are expected to visit the site where Rebecca Middleton was found.