Court / Witness recalls conversation with woman accused of murder

A WITNESS has told the High Court in Edinburgh about a conversation he had with a woman standing trial for murder following the alleged incident.

Barry Colquhoun, 36, said how he spoke to Dawn Smith, 29, hours after Tracy Walker lost her life in Lerwick, Shetland, in July 30 2019.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard Colquhoun say that Smith told him that her co-accused, Ross MacDougall, 32, assaulted Walker.

Colquhoun told prosecution lawyer Steven Borthwick that he had spoken to Smith whilst he was working as a gardener at a home in Gulberwick.

He told the court that he had heard stories about an attack which had taken place earlier and that he had raised it with Smith.

Colquhoun added: “She said she knew what had happened and she was present.

“When she told me, I was taken aback.”

Colquhoun said Smith told her that Walker had been struck with a rock before being cut with a knife.

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The witness, who lives in Glasgow, was giving evidence on the ninth day of proceedings against MacDougall and Smith.

The two accused deny murdering Walker and four other charges.

On Monday, Colquhoun told Borthwick that Smith had told her that following the incident, MacDougall handed her the knife and she placed it in her bag.

Colquhoun said Smith told him that she and Mr MacDougall had taken a taxi from the scene.

The witness then described what Smith said next.

He said: “They took Ross’s mother’s car and went on a long  drive into the hills where they got rid of their clothes, phones and the weapon.”

Colquhoun told the court that Smith said she didn’t “do it”.

He added: “At that point, I told her to speak to the police. I told her that several times.”

Colquhoun also said that Smith appeared to be “deflated” when she was speaking to him.

He added: “She said she had to get off the island. I said to her ‘you need to speak to the police’.”

Colquhoun also said that Smith said that Walker was in debt to her during the conversation.

He added: “She said that Tracy owed her money and that if she was able to buy drugs then she was able to pay back the money she owed her.”

Both MacDougall and Smith, have entered not guilty pleas to all charges on the indictment.

The trial before judge Lord Uist continues.

Copy from James Mulholland of Edinburgh Courts Press Services