Attack victim shot twice in head through car window Forensic scientist tells murder trial
BY WILMA RILEY A FORENSIC scientist yesterday told murder trial jurors that Euan Johnston was shot twice in the head.
Neil McKay was giving evidence at the trial of David Scott, 33, who denies murdering Euan, 26, by repeatedly discharging a firearm at the junction of Shields Road and Scotland Street, Glasgow, on November 15, 2016.
He told prosecutor Alex Prentice QC that three 9mm bullets were fired at Euan as he sat in the driver’s seat of his Audi RS4.
The forensic scientist told the jury the bullets could have been fired from a self-loading pistol, a carbine or a rifle.
McKay said: “Three shots were fired at the vehicle, two through the driver’s window and one into the driver’s door seal.”
The jury was shown a computer generated image of the head injuries suffered by Euan.
There were two gunshot wounds – one above his right ear and the other at his right temple – and another wound which may have been caused by a spent cartridge hitting his head. Prentice asked: “What caused these penetrating injuries?” to which McKay replied: “Two bullets and the third could have been caused by a bullet jacket striking the head base first.”
The High Court in Glasgow heard that a computer-generated model was produced to work out where the bullets had been fired from.
McKay said it suggested the shots were fired from a slightly elevated position.
Prentice asked: “Could that include a person standing?” McKay replied: “Yes.”
The court heard a spent bullet cartridge was found in Shields Road and another in a burned-out Audi Q5, which prosecutors claim was used in the shooting.
McKay said: “Microscopic marks show they have both been discharged from the same firearm.”
The trial continues.