A VERDICT of not proven was returned yesterday in the trial of a
public-house manager who had been charged with murdering a drug addict
found dead on the doorstep of his pub.
The addict, James Weir, 28, who was known as ''Weirdo'', had slashed
seats and smashed a fruit machine before he was found dying from 10 stab
wounds.
Yesterday, there was cheering at the High Court in Glasgow when the
jury found the charge against Mr Philip Rodgers, 47, not proven.
Mr Rodgers, of Dee Avenue, Deanpark, Renfrew, had lodged a special
defence blaming his chargehand Thomas Carroll, 37, for the murder.
The court was told that Mr Weir, of Newfield Square, Nitshill,
Glasgow, had been in the Cavendish pub in Dove Street on February 16,
this year.
After slashing seating with a knife and overturning a fruit machine,
he challenged the chargehand to fight.
The court was told that Mr Carroll, who was in charge of the pub
because it was Mr Rodgers's day off, went outside to meet Mr Weir after
arming himself with a pickshaft and a cleaver.
But police arrived and charged Mr Carroll with possessing offensive
weapons.
Because of the trouble Mr Rodgers and the area manager of the pub were
called in.
Mr Weir then returned to the bar and was escorted out by Mr Rodgers,
who claimed he had sent him on his way and had then gone home to
continue his day off.
Shortly afterwards Mr Weir was found dead outside the pub.
One onlooker said he saw Mr Rodgers in a crowd at the doorway and saw
him raise a blood-stained knife. But Mr Rodgers denied he had harmed the
man, and said he knew nothing of the murder until the following day.
Mr Paul Cullen, prosecuting, said in his closing speech that Mr Weir
was a heroin addict with a violent streak and had been known to carry
weapons.
He said the jurors might not find it surprising that such a man should
come to a sticky end.
On the other hand, the accused was described as a family man who had
done a good job running a difficult public house.
Mr Donald Findlay, QC, defending, said there was no motive for Mr
Rodgers to kill Mr Weir.
He said Mr Carroll had had the motive, and also the means and had
already gone out armed with weapons to see to Mr Weir.
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