Cops split over death of woman

Murder trial jury told detectives disagreed about case probe

Detectives initially decided the death of a woman allegedly killed by her ex-police officer husband was “non-suspicious”.

The body of Alice Farquharson had been found last August at the home in Aberdeen she shared with Keith Farquharson.

Inspector Christopher Kerr contacted CID colleagues amid concerns that he had, but jurors heard investigating detectives concluded there had been no crime.

It was only when Insp Kerr pushed for further inquiries that a murder probe was sparked.

Farquharson, 60, is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow. He denies murdering his 56-year-old wife on August 29 last year. Insp Kerr was one of the officers who attended at the Farquharsons’ home after an earlier 999 call.

Mrs Farquharson had died that morning despite efforts to save her life.

Her husband – a retired police inspector – was initially described as “tearful and upset”. He allegedly told Insp Kerr he got up that morning then “went through for coffee” before hearing a noise from the bedroom and discovering his wife.

Jurors earlier heard claims Farquharson was in the shower when he heard a “thud” and then gave Mrs Farquharson CPR.

Insp Kerr said he found the dad to be “unsure and doubtful about his recall”. The inspector went on to check on Mrs Farquharson and found her lying in her bed. She had “abrasions” on her face and Insp Kerr said he “found the nature of the death to be suspicious”.

He informed CID before asking Farquharson and other relatives to leave the property.

Insp Kerr recalled Farquharson “protested” at this and was “agitated”.

The officer added: “He made a remark to me and said ‘I feel like I am an accused’.”

But the trial was told the incident was later “treated as non-suspicious”.

Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC put to the inspector:

“You had reached a view this should be treated as a suspicious death, but a detective inspector and sergeant decided the matter was not suspicious and that the home was to be returned to the family.

“Did you agree with that assessment?”

Insp Kerr replied: “No.” The officer agreed he was “not content with the outcome reached” and instructed further inquiries including that a post-mortem examination be “expedited immediately”.

A murder inquiry was subsequently instigated.

Ian Duguid QC, representing Mr Farquharson, later quizzed the witness about his client’s protestations at being asked to leave his home.He asked: “Did you find that odd?” Insp Kerr replied: “Under the circumstances, the majority of families are supportive but Mr Farquharson said something like ‘Are you joking?’ and had to be calmed down.”

The murder charge alleges he seized hold of Mrs Farquharson and struggled with her before compressing her neck and face. It is further claimed Farquharson left her unconscious after “restricting her breathing” by covering her nose and mouth.

He is then said to have caused blunt force injury “by means unknown”.

The trial continues.