A TRIVIAL matter of stepping on toes while queueing for fast food ended with the death of a man and two men in the dock charged with manslaughter.
Being tried by a jury before Mr Justice Leong are Kok Lon-ven, 25, and Wu Ming-tak, 32, construction-work contractors.
They have denied the unlawful killing of Gan Wai-kay, 30.
Prosecuting counsel Alan Lucas, opening the Crown's case, said Gan had been queueing to buy lunch at the Cafe de Coral in Mei Foo Sun Chuen on March 9 last year.
The fast-food restaurant was crowded because it was lunch hour. Kok and Wu had been standing behind Gan in the queue.
When Gan stepped back and stood on the foot of one of the defendants, an altercation ensued.
The argument continued for some time, the court heard. Gan put his tray down, turned round and challenged the two men.