A north-east man accused of attempted murder did not care if his victims “lived or died”, a court has heard.
Matthew Boyle, 42, is on trial at the High Court in Aberdeen accused of a string of charges, which include attempting to murder three members of an Inverness family.
John Gallagher, 64, his wife Sylvia, 55, and daughter Charlie, 30, all suffered life-threatening injuries after they were stabbed outside the city’s Broadsword bar following a charity event on August 29 last year.
Prosecutors allege Boyle attacked all three with a knife.
He is also accused of hitting Elaine Murdoch over the head with a glass bottle.
Yesterday, the charge against his co-accused, Kevin Deans – who was accused of knifing Mr Gallagher – was amended from attempted murder to assault. He was also acquitted of attempting to kill Mrs Gallagher and her daughter.
The 40-year-old is also accused of making an indecent remark towards Miss Gallagher, causing her and alarm.
Both men, who are from Aberdeen, deny the charges against them and Boyle has lodged a special defence of self-defence.
In his closing speech yesterday, advocate depute Bernard Ablett told the jury that Boyle had not cared “whether his victims lived or died”.
Mr Ablett reminded the jury they had heard medical evidence that in all three cases there could have been fatal consequences.
He appealed to them to dismiss Boyle’s claims that he was acting in self-defence, arguing that he had acted first and was “cruelly excessive” in delivering his blows.
Mr Ablett also urged the jury to find Deans guilty of both charges, arguing he had behaved in an inappropriate manner towards Miss Gallagher, and that he had several opportunities to walk away after the confrontation began.
But Boyle’s counsel, advocate David Moggach said there were “gaping gaps” in the prosecution’s case.
He reminded the jury no weapon had been found in the car park or in Boyle’s flat.
He urged the jury to acquit Boyle of all charges arguing there were inconsistencies in the Gallaghers’ evidence, as well as other crown witnesses.
“We have heard as many accounts here as we have had witnesses,” he added.
Deans’s defence will give his closing speech today when the trial, before Lord Burns, continues.
