Trial to continue against co-accused

ONE of the men accused of shooting Euan Johnston at he sat in his car at traffic lights was yesterday cleared of murdering him.

Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC withdrew the charges against Anthony Ruthven, 33, who denied blasting Euan, known as EJ, in the head with a firearm on November 15, 2016, at the junction of Shields Road and Scotland Street, Glasgow.

Mr Prentice told the High Court in Glasgow: “Having reviewed the evidence and the evidence still to come, I withdraw the libel against Anthony Ruthven.”

In addition to the murder charge, Mr Ruthven was accused of attempted murder and assault charges in connection with alleged incidents on August 12, 2016. He was also cleared of those.

His co-accused David Scott, 33, is still on trial accused of murdering Euan by shooting him. Judge Lady Stacey told the jury: “You shouldn’t make up your minds about anything based on what has happened today. You have to listen to all the evidence.”

On Tuesday, the court heard evidence BY WILMA RILEY from David Callander, 31, of Glasgow, who has learning difficulties and ADHD, and cannot read or write.

It was claimed he told police in an interview on December 16, 2016, that he was in a Glasgow flat where he heard Mr Ruthven say: “Bang, I nipped that EJ. We pulled up at the lights and I f***ing shot him. I was sitting in the back passenger seat and I put the window down and done him.”

However, in evidence, David denied ever being in the flat.

The jury have heard Euan was sitting in his Audi RS4 at red lights at about 11.40pm , when he was shot in the head, suffering a “catastrophic” injury.

He died later in hospital after his life support machine was switched off.

The trial was adjourned until today, when evidence will resume.