One of the men accused of murdering 39-year-old Gary Clampett in Fraserburgh last June walked free from court today.
Barry Martin, 32, was cleared of murder after prosecutor Paul Kearney withdrew the charge against him.
Judge Lord Beckett told Mr Martin: “The charge against you has been withdrawn you are free to go.”
During the trial at the High Court in Glasgow Mr Martin denied the charged and lodged a special defence of alibi.
‘I’ve lost my soul mate’: Gary Clampett’s widow appears at his murder trial
John Henderson, 47, Gary Martin ,37, Joseph Martin, 40, Thomas Martin , 45, David Graham, 46, James Connor, 52, and Dean Leech, 25, deny murdering Mr Clampett by hitting him with knives, a machete, a sword, a chain, a hammer, a crowbar, a wrench, a stick, bats, golf clubs, poles and a metal bat at Fernie Place, Fraserburgh, on June 18, last year.
DC Beverley Simmons told the court that she and six other officers went to a flat in Aberdeen on June 18, 2017 and found and detained Thomas Martin, Gary Martin and John Henderson.
Crowd with weapons surrounded Fraserburgh man on the night he died, court told
The jury heard that Gary Martin had a swollen right eye and Thomas Martin had abrasions on the top of his head and scratches to his hands.
Defence counsel Frances Connor asked the police officer: “You noted abrasions on the top of Thomas Martin’s head and scratches on his hands. Would you agree he looked like the victim of an assault,” and she replied: “I couldn’t assess his injuries.”
The trial continues.
