Victim had no enemies, court told

A MAN shot in the head and killed ‘had no enemies’, a court heard.

A friend of Euan ‘EJ’ Johnson told Glasgow High Court that no-one had a bad word to say about him.

She also told of a previous suspected shooting when EJ was at her home in Springburn.

EUAN “EJ” Johnston had “no enemies”, a murder trial in Glasgow heard.

A close friend made the claim to police days after the 26-year-old was killed in November 2016.

A jury at Glasgow High Court earlier heard how Mr Johnston was near the scene of a possible shooting months before his death.

Anthony Ruthven and David Scott, both 33, deny murdering him in Kinning Park.

Mr Johnston’s friend Sharon Gall was giving evidence and the 39-year-old broke down in tears when she was shown a photo of the father.

She went on to tell jurors: “I was one of the last people to speak with him.”

The court heard of a statement Miss Gall gave to police about a week after his death.

Miss Gall said to officers: “As far as I know Euan Johnston had no enemies... not a bad word to say about Euan.”

The jury was also told of a time in August 2016 when Miss Gall was at her home in Springburn with others including Mr Johnston.

She remembered her then partner Craig Shaw having a cut eye and Gary Bradburn, an ex-lover, driving a van at a Jeep.

Prosecutor Alex Prentice, QC, asked: “So, he deliberately drove into the Jeep – then you heard a noise after the collision?” Miss Gall: “Popping noises.” Mr Prentice: “Where was EJ at the time of the popping noises?”

She replied: “At the bottom of the garden... cannot remember where he was.”

The advocate depute: “Did EJ hide anywhere?”

Miss Gall said she did not know if he did, but may have “stood behind” a neighbour’s Mercedes.

Mr Prentice: “Did you consider there was a danger?” Miss Gall: “Yes.” She was asked what she

As far as I know Euan Johnston had no enemies...

done afterwards. Miss Gall said: “Nothing I could do... did not know who it was.”

Mr Prentice said there “appears to be shots fired” in what he described as a “dangerous and alarming” situation.

But he added that Miss Gall had not given a “full account” to officers.

The prosecutor said: “You did not want to be a grass and refused to tell the police what happened?” Miss Gall: “I will say yes.” Mr Prentice later asked: “Are you frightened to give evidence?”

Miss Gall: “Not an ideal situation, but not frightened, no.”

The trial continues.