Crown reject Reamonn accused culpable homicide plea

Jun 9 2011 Hamilton Advertiser

A MAN who admitted killing Blantyre student Reamonn Gormley still faces a murder charge.

Crown prosecutors rejected Daryn Maxwell’s guilty plea to the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

The 22-year-old and co-accused Barry Smith (19), both from Blantyre, will stand trial for murdering Reamonn, of Station Road, later this year. The trial is expected to last four weeks.

The case against both was called at the High Court in Glasgow last week.

Maxwell is charged with murdering Reamonn, a Glasgow University psychology student, in Glasgow Road, Blantyre, on February 1 this year.

He admitted that with his face partially masked he threatened Reamonn with a knife, demanded personal items, struggled with him and killed him by repeatedly striking him on the neck and body with a knife or similar instrument.

However, advocate depute Dorothy Bain QC, prosecuting, told the court that his plea to culpable homicide was not accepted.

Smith pleaded not guilty to the murder of Reamonn.

Both men deny a second charge of presenting a chisel at David McFall and robbing him of a wallet and its contents in Glasgow Road, Blantyre, on the same day.

Miss Bain told the court: “There is a considerable amount of evidence.”

Defence QCs Ian Duguid, for Maxwell, and Gordon Jackson, who is representing Smith, told judge Lord Matthews that they were ready for trial.

Lord Matthews continued the case to a further preliminary hearing in August.

Reamonn, a former John Ogilvie High pupil, was stabbed as he walked home after watching the Celtic-Aberdeen game at the Parkville Bar, Glasgow Road, Blantyre.

He died in Hairmyres Hospital soon after the attack.

Days after the incident, 1500 people took part in a march through the streets of Blantyre in memory of the popular student.

Since then, 10,000 people have signed an Advertiser petition demanding tougher sentences for knife thugs.