Aberfeldy Murder Suspect Denies Shooting Ex-Colleague Out of 'Sheer Malice'
In a dramatic courtroom exchange, a former gamekeeper accused of murder has vehemently denied shooting an ex-colleague dead out of "sheer malice" and rebuked a prosecutor for labeling him a "liar." David Campbell, 77, is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow for the alleged shotgun murder of Brian Low, 65, on a remote track near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, on February 16, 2024.
Prosecutor's Allegations and Defendant's Rebuttal
Advocate depute Greg Farrell asserted to Campbell, "You shot Brian Low dead out of sheer malice." The defendant responded with disbelief, stating, "Malice for what? Brian and I never even fell out, we just didn't speak to each other." Campbell has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, including the murder accusation, and has lodged a special defence of alibi, claiming he was at home during the alleged shooting.
Both men had previously worked at Edradynate Estate, where Campbell served as head gamekeeper and Mr. Low was a groundsman before retirement. The trial has revealed that Campbell twice placed duct tape over his doorbell camera and manually shut down his home CCTV system on the morning of the alleged murder. Describing himself as a "dinosaur" with technology, Campbell claimed he "certainly didn't mean" to switch the CCTV off.
Disputed Evidence and CCTV Footage
Mr. Farrell highlighted that Campbell initially denied shutting down the device until expert testimony showed it was switched off at 10:09 a.m. while he was at home. The accused responded curtly, "Why do you keep calling me a liar? I take great offence at that." Following further challenges, he added, "Just stop calling me a liar." Part of the Crown's case focuses on a cyclist captured on CCTV in Aberfeldy, whom prosecutors believe may have been Mr. Low's killer.
It has been argued that the bike has similar features to one owned by Campbell's wife, Elizabeth Campbell. Mr. Farrell put it to the accused, "That's you on that bike." Campbell replied, "It most certainly is not." He also claimed he would not be able to pedal as proficiently as the cyclist and remarked on the biker's shape, "I think I would fit inside that person." However, Campbell agreed with the prosecutor that he had lost weight over the last two years, adding, "I don't have the tummy I used to have."
Bike Tyre Changes and Soil Sample Analysis
Jurors have heard how Campbell changed the tyres on his wife's e-bike in the days following Mr. Low's death. The accused claimed he did it as a "surprise" for his partner, as she had previously been cycling in a forest and felt her tyres were "too narrow" for the path. Mrs. Campbell was reportedly unaware her tyres had been replaced until after the bike was seized by police in May 2024.
When questioned over why he never told Mrs. Campbell about the tyre change, the accused stated, "When you love someone very much, like my wife and I do, it's great to give them little surprises." Campbell said he could not remember what he did with the old tyres but most likely "chucked them in the skip." The defendant accepted he had used his wife's bike on November 6, 2023, but denied taking it out after that date.
Soil sample analysis has connected Mrs. Campbell's bike to the area where Mr. Low's body was found. In her own testimony, Mrs. Campbell claimed she had been on her bike a few times in late 2023 and early 2024 in the surrounding area. Campbell was questioned if he had discussed the soil sample analysis with his wife ahead of the trial, with Mr. Farrell stating, "You knew that soil sample analysis was a problem."
Charges and Background Details
The alleged murder of Brian Low is said to have taken place in Leafy Lane, Aberfeldy, near the Pitilie Track. Mr. Low's body was first discovered on February 17, 2024, with a paramedic pronouncing him dead at 9 a.m. Prosecutors allege Campbell previously showed "malice and ill-will" towards Mr. Low and discharged a shotgun at him, leaving him so severely hurt that he died at the scene.
He is further accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice between February 16 and May 24, 2024, by disposing of the alleged murder weapon and gun bag; disposing of a Walther Rotex RM8 airgun; having replacement tyres fitted on an electric bike reportedly used during the alleged shooting; and dumping a box, a cartridge bag, and bicycle tyres at Aberfeldy Recycling Centre or elsewhere.
Campbell additionally faces five separate breach of the peace charges spanning from July 1995 to September 2012. He is said to have acted in a disorderly manner, putting three men and two women in a "state of fear and alarm." Campbell is further accused of possessing a Walther Rotex RM8 airgun between May 2017 and February 2024 without the relevant certificate and discharging it on various occasions. The trial, before Lord Scott, continues.
