FORMER Hearts footballer Ryan McGowan arrived in court as a senior prosecution lawyer urged jurors to convict his father of murder.
The Australian player, 27, heard some of the proceedings against his father James, 58, at the High Court in Edinburgh.
It came as Alex Prentice, QC, and defence solicitor advocate Murray Macara, QC, addressed jurors.
Mr Prentice told the jury there was enough evidence available to them to prove James murdered Owen Brannigan in a house in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, in November 1999. He also urged jurors to also convict James McGowan of assaulting another man in a Coatbridge social club earlier in the same evening.
Mr Prentice said: “When you draw it all together – justice in this case requires you to find James McGowan guilty of the murder of Owen Brannigan. It is a compelling, convincing case and I urge you to return a verdict of guilty in this case.”
Mr Prentice was speaking on the fifth day of proceedings against Mr McGowan, who was extradited to Scotland from Australia last year to stand trial on murder and assault charges. Mr McGowan denies murder.
Mr Prentice reminded jurors that Mr McGowan had repeatedly phoned an Australian mental health helpline in July 2012. He said Mr McGowan had told counsellors he had “crossed a line” and had killed another man.
He also said evidence had been led during the trial which showed that in the hours leading up to the alleged murder, Mr McGowan was in an “angry and aggressive mood”.
The lawyer told the jury Mr McGowan had also assaulted Thomas Duggan.
The jury heard Mr McGowan believed Mr Brannigan was a rapist.
He has also pleaded not guilty to assault.
Mr Macara has lodged a special defence of incrimination blaming Thomas Stewart, who is dead, for the murder.
The trial continues.
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