Car window shattered, there was blood on Euan and a hole in his head
Best pal said he did not hear gunfire
THE best pal of Euan Johnston yesterday told a murder trial how he saw blood on his friend and a hole in his head.
Former soldier Brian McMahon, 31, said he and Euan, 26, had been sitting in a car at traffic lights.
Brian, who was in the front passenger seat of the Audi RS4, told prosecutor Alex Prentice QC that he never heard any gunshots.
He said that the first he knew something was wrong was when the driver’s side window shattered.
The trial has heard Euan died from a catastrophic head injury.
Brian told the High Court in Glasgow: “The window smashed in. We shot forward and crashed into traffic lights and a barrier.”
Prentice asked: “What did you see when the car came to rest?” Brian, who served in the Scots Guards, replied: “Blood on Euan.”
The witness said he got out and opened the driver’s door. Brian, of Glasgow, added: “I tried to see what was wrong. At the side of Euan’s head there was a hole.”
The court heard Brian thought his pal had been shot. Prentice asked the witness: “Is that the conclusion you came to?” He replied: “Yes.”
The prosecutor then said: “Even though you said you didn’t hear gunfire?” He replied: “No, I didn’t.”
The ex-soldier was giving evidence at the trial of Anthony Ruthven, 33, and David Scott, 33, who deny murdering Euan in Kinning Park, Glasgow, on November 15.
Prosecutors claim the pair – while acting with others unknown – repeatedly discharged a firearm at Euan from an Audi Q5 then sped off.
Donald Findlay QC, defending Ruthven, asked the witness: “Mr Johnston never had a proper job, he had a nice car and was never short of money, was he?” Brian replied: “No.”
Finlay then asked: “How much money was in his pockets the day he died? It might be as much as £4000.” Brian said: “I’ve no idea.”
The jury heard that at the time of his death, Euan was on an indictment along with Brian and another man accused of being concerned in the supply of heroin.
The witness was asked if he knew anyone with the surname Daniel. He said: “Yes I know one Robert Daniel. I used to go to his garage in Maryhill.” Brian said Euan also knew him.
He was asked by Findlay if he knew anyone called Lyons and replied: “Not that I knew of.”
David Callander, 31, who has learning difficulties and ADHD, told police in an interview that he was in a flat where he heard Ruthven say: ‘Bang, I nipped that EJ. We pulled up at the lights and I f ****** shot him. I was sitting in the back passenger seat and I put the window down and done him.”
But in evidence, David, from Glasgow, denied ever being in the flat or hearing Ruthven say anything.
The trial before Lady Stacey continues.