A defence lawyer involved in one of the north-east’s most high-profile murder trials has withdrawn from the case at the 11th hour.
Christopher Harrisson, 81, is accused of murdering his former wife Dr Brenda Page at her flat in Aberdeen in 1978.
But, on what would have been the first day of his trial at the High Court in Aberdeen, defence advocate David Moggach said that he was withdrawing from acting on Harrisson’s behalf due to a “breakdown” in the client-counsel relationship.
Judge Richardson described the situation as “extremely regrettable” and the case will call again next month in order for Harrisson to obtain new legal counsel.
Harrisson allegedly forced entry to Brenda’s Allan Street flat on July 14 1978 and repeatedly struck her on the head and body with a blunt implement or implements.
It is also alleged that Harrisson assaulted his wife, who was 32 at the time of her death, on various occasions between May 6 in 1972 and June 20 in 1976 in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and elsewhere in Scotland.
Harrisson faces an additional two charges of behaving in a disorderly and threatening manner towards Dr Page, alongside one charge of attempting to destroy forensic evidence.
Dr Page, a genetic scientist, was working at Aberdeen University at the time of her death.
Mr Moggach told Lord Richardson: “The situation has developed where I feel I cannot continue to act in the case.
“I feel that a situation has been reached where there is a breakdown in the client-counsel relationship.
“And – I’m not going to go into details – matters arose which caused considerable discussion and exchange on both sides.
“Despite our efforts, we did try to resolve the problem, but it became apparent to me that this situation could not be improved.
“I found myself in a position where I couldn’t begin to conduct a trial such as this.”
Mr Moggach stated that he would be withdrawing from acting for Harrisson alongside Aberdeen solicitor Lynn Bentley, who was acting as solicitor-advocate.
He also told the court that with respect to the issues that had arisen: “I think the problem exists with me.”
When asked by Judge Richardson today if alternative legal counsel for Harrisson had been identified, Mr Moggach stated that there was available counsel ready to step in but that it would take “months not weeks” for them to prepare the trial.
Mr Moggach told the court that he believed it would be “unlikely” that another solicitor could step in to allow the case to continue on its current fixed date.
“There has been a considerable amount of reading in this case – there are more than 2,000 statements in this case and a huge volume of paperwork – and you can’t do that quickly,” he said.
“Whoever comes into this case will require more than days to attend to this case and prepare this case.
“I have been working this case for the last two years.”
Advocate depute Alex Prentice added: “It is quite clear that this trial cannot proceed at this sitting.
“The Crown would want a trial date to be set on the new date come what may.”
A preliminary hearing will now be held on September 2 and a new trial date will be set then.
For all the latest court cases in Aberdeen as well as crime and breaking incidents, join our Facebook group.
