THREE DAYS OF HELL AT RIVER OF DEATH
MURDER ACCUSED ‘COULDN’T BELIEVE HIS FRIEND HAD DIED’
A Paisley man accused of murdering his best pal told detectives he lay stricken by the side of a river for three days after slipping and breaking his leg.
Detective Sergeant Peter Grady told the High Court in Glasgow that William Cameron appeared shocked and upset when the was given the news that Darryl Fitch was dead.
DS Grady was giving evidence at the trial of Cameron, who denies murdering his 43-year-old friend during a camping weekend at Locher Water, Bridge of Weir.
He told prosecutor Richard Goddard that he first spoke to Cameron, 39, at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, where he was being treated for a broken leg.
The jury was told that Cameron said that he and Mr Fitch planned to camp for three days.
He said they were drinking and taking Valium.
He also claimed that
no-one visited the campsite and he had no dispute or altercation with Mr Fitch or anyone else.
DS Grady told the court that Cameron then said: “Fitch disappeared about 8. I thought he had gone home, gone for food,” and he added: “He then made reference to walking down a slope towards the water and fell and hit his head and broke his leg.
“He said he shouted for help for the next three days.”
The detective said that Cameron told him that Mr Fitch’s phone was nearby, but he couldn’t use it to call for help because it was locked.
As Cameron was about to be wheeled into theatre for an operation on his broken leg, DS Grady revealed that his friend was dead.
The detective was asked by Mr Goddard: “How did he appear?” and replied: “He appeared shocked by the news and genuinely upset by it.”
He also said: “My mate’s died trying to save me,” and added that Mr Fitch was his best friend and he couldn’t believe he was dead.
Defence QC John Scullion asked if Cameron was confused and under medication when he spoke to the police, and DS Grady replied that he was.
Mr Scullion went on: “Mr Cameron was shocked when you told him about his friend and couldn’t believe he was dead. Is that correct?” and DS Grady replied: “Yes.”
The trial, before judge Lord Mulholland, continues.