Murder trial: Accused’s DNA found in burnt-out car
BY WILMA RILEY DNA matching that of murder accused David Scott was on a top found in a burnt-out Audi Q5, a forensic scientist told a court yesterday.
Morag Coyle was giving evidence at the trial of 33-year-old Scott.
He denies murdering Euan “EJ” Johnston, 26, by shooting him as he sat at traffic lights in Glasgow on November 15, 2016.
The jury at the High Court in Glasgow heard that a blue Audi Q5 was seen speeding along the city’s Scotland Street shortly after Euan was shot twice in the head. It was later found burnt out.
Coyle said that she examined two tops retrieved from the car – a Nike hoodie zipper and a Russell top. She told prosecutor Alex Prentice QC that she found DNA matching Scott’s on the fire-damaged Nike zipper.
She explained to the jury that she discovered a major contributor of DNA and a minor contributor of DNA on the left side of a zipped pocket. She added: “DNA matching that of David Scott was the major contributor.”
The “minor contributor” DNA matched that of Scott’s girlfriend, Shelby McLaughland.
On another part of the damaged top, Coyle said that DNA matching that of Scott was also found. Coyle said: “In our opinion, the finding could be explained if David Scott was a regular wearer of this item.”
She added: “We were unable to say whether David Scott was an occupant of the Audi Q5.”
The trial continues.