‘EJ HAS BEEN SHOT IN THE FACE’
Girlfriend: I was on line to Euan as he was killed
THE partner of Euan Johnston was on the phone to him when he was shot in his car at traffic lights, a murder trial heard yesterday.
Danielle Carruthers told the High Court in Glasgow she had phoned Euan, who was known as EJ, to see what time he would be home.
The 33-year-old, who had a child with Euan, said: “He said he was on the way to drop his friend Brian McMahon off and would be home soon. Immediately after he said that there was a revving of the car and a loud bang. I was shouting ‘Euan, are you all right?’
“I didn’t know what had happened. It wasn’t until I heard Brian screaming, ‘Euan, Euan, Euan,’ I knew something was wrong.”
Danielle, who was in a relationship with Euan for three-and-a-half years, said at first she thought it was an accident.
But, she told jurors she then heard another voice on the phone asking, “Who is that?” and the reply: “EJ has been shot in the face.”
She was giving evidence at the trial of Anthony Ruthven, 32, and David Scott, 33, who deny murdering Euan in Kinning Park, Glasgow, on November 15 last year.
Prosecutors claim the pair – while acting with others unknown – repeatedly discharged a firearm at Euan from an Audi Q5 – and then sped off.
The trial has heard Euan died from a catastrophic head injury after being shot in his car, an Audi RS4, at traffic lights.
Danielle told prosecutor Alex Prentice QC she got dressed, organised childcare and drove to Glasgow’s Royal Infirmary. As she drove, she said she could still hear what was happening in Scotland Street on her phone, adding: “I could hear someone saying, ‘Take your jacket off and wrap it round his head.’”
She added: “I was in a panic. I hung up and called Euan’s dad. He told me to come and get him right away and we drove to the new hospital.”
The court was told that when Danielle got to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Euan was on a life support machine.
Mr Prentice asked her: “Were you there when the decision was made to switch off the life support machine?” She replied: “Yes.” When asked if Euan was in employment at the time, Danielle replied: “I’m not sure.”
She told the court that during the day on November 15, 2017, Euan was helping his father – also Euan – move house. In the evening she said her partner went out for a meal with his pal Brian at Red Pepper restaurant in Glasgow’s southside.
Defence QC Donald Findlay asked Danielle: “Did Mr Johnston have a job?” She replied: “He would sometimes go to the car wash in London Road. I’m not sure if he still worked there.”
Mr Findlay then asked: “Did he have any businesses he ran?” The witness replied: “I’m not sure.” The QC went on: “You weren’t short of money.” She replied: “No.”
Earlier, off-duty policeman Andrew McDonald told the jury that a blue Audi Q5 sped past him on Scotland Street at 11.35pm or 11.40pm on November 15 last year, before going through a red light, heading on to Kingston Bridge and disappearing.
He said he was so concerned by the driving that he noted the registration number and dialled 101 to report it.
PC McDonald said he couldn’t see the occupants of the car as the windows were tinted and it was travelling at speed.
The car was later found burned out.
The trial before judge Lady Stacey continues.
It wasn’t until I heard Brian screaming, ‘Euan, Euan, Euan,’ I knew something was wrong