The wife of a murder suspect blew a kiss at her husband in the dock before telling a court she ‘couldn’t remember’ if there were any grievances between her partner and his alleged victim.
Prosecutors are claiming David Campbell, 77, gunned down former colleague Brian Low, 65, on a remote track near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, on 16 February 2024.
Campbell has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, and has lodged a special defence of alibi in connection with the shotgun murder accusation – claiming he was at home at the time of the alleged shooting.
Both men had worked at Edradynate Estate, where Campbell was head gamekeeper between May 1984 and February 2018 and Mr Low was a groundsman between August 2000 and February 2023.
On Thursday, Elizabeth Campbell, 77, blew a kiss at her husband of 57 years when she took to the stand to give her testimony at the High Court in Glasgow.
Mrs Campbell told jurors that she knew Mr Low from her own time working at the “big house” on the estate.
She noted: “I didn’t get along with him, but I didn’t not get along with him.”
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When questioned by Advocate Depute Greg Farrell if there were any issues or grievances between her husband and Mr Low, Mrs Campbell replied: “No.”
When pressed further, Mrs Campbell said: “I can’t really say anything specific.”
She added: “I just didn’t know about any grievances.”
Last week, jurors heard how Campbell allegedly “loathed” Mr Low.
Crown witnesses testified that the accused had suspected Mr Low of trying to “set him up” after dead birds were found on the estate.
In a police statement given to officers on 28 February 2024, Mrs Campbell said of Mr Low: “I have no feeling for or against the guy.”
Read more from the trial:
Man accused of shotgun murder ‘loathed victim’
Alleged killer thought murder victim was trying to ‘set him up’
CCTV at suspect’s home ‘went off on morning of alleged shooting’
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In the same statement, Mrs Campbell said “there was one or two grievances between Brian and Dave”.
When once again questioned by Mr Farrell about what she knew about any potential grievances, Mrs Campbell replied: “I’m telling you now under oath, I don’t remember.”
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During proceedings last week, jurors heard how Mr Low’s face had around 30 shotgun pellet injuries.
Despite this, the death was initially treated as a “medical event” with Mr Low’s bloody injuries suspected to have been caused by a fall.
Detective Constable Mark Chance agreed his initial assessment was wrong as he admitted he had never encountered a firearm death in the area before.
The court was told that when Mr Low’s remains reached a mortuary, shotgun pellets fell out of the bag.
A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be gunshot wounds to the neck and chest.
The police mistake meant the crime scene was not sealed off and forensically examined until days after Mr Low’s body was found.
Scotland reporter
The alleged murder of Brian Low is said to have taken place in Leafy Lane, Aberfeldy, near to the Pitilie Track, on 16 February 2024.
Mr Low’s body was first discovered on 17 February 2024, with a paramedic pronouncing him dead at 9am.
David Campbell is accused of previously showing “malice and ill-will” towards Mr Low, and is alleged to have discharged a shotgun at him, leaving him so severely hurt that he died at the scene.
Prosecutors allege he earlier disabled CCTV cameras at Tigh Na Caorann in Aberfeldy’s Crieff Road in an attempt to conceal his whereabouts.
He is further accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice between 16 February and 24 May 2024 by disposing of the alleged murder weapon and gun bag; disposing of a Walther Rotex RM8 airgun; having replacement tyres fitted on an electric bike reportedly used during the alleged shooting; and dumping a box, a cartridge bag and bicycle tyres at Aberfeldy Recycling Centre or elsewhere.
Campbell additionally faces five separate breach of the peace charges spanning between July 1995 and September 2012.
He is said to have acted in a disorderly manner, putting three men and two women in a “state of fear and alarm”.
Campbell is further accused of possessing a Walther Rotex RM8 airgun between May 2017 and February 2024 without the relevant certificate, and discharging it on various occasions.
The trial, before Lord Scott, continues.
