A person accused of murdering a stranger by throwing her from a pier into water claimed he was "going away for a very long time". Jacob Foster, 29, allegedly killed Charmaine O'Donnell on April 23, 2021.
The crime is alleged to have occurred at Helensburgh Pier within the city's West Clyde Road in Argyll and Bute. Jurors yesterday heard 25 year-old Charmaine died as a result of extreme neck accidents and drowning.
Foster went on trial on the Excessive Court docket in Glasgow on Wednesday. He denies homicide and his legal professionals have lodged a particular defence of diminished duty as a result of an "abnormality of thoughts" on the time.
Charmaine's buddy Caitlin McTaggart, 25, gave proof. The pair - who had recognized one another since youngsters - had travelled to Helensburgh because of the good climate that day.
Caitlin instructed the court docket: "I had needed to go the Campsies the place there's a waterfall. She stated 'no' as a result of she would have ended up within the water principally."
The ladies arrived at Helensburgh Pier and finally acquired chatting to 3 males fishing. Foster and one other man had been additionally close by. Caitlin instructed jurors neither she or Charmaine knew him, though it appeared he was attempting to get entangled of their dialog. The witness instructed the court docket she later heard a "commotion".
She stated "any individual" acquired "thrown" over the railings or barrier on the pier. Caitlin instructed the court docket she didn't initially know who it was, however an individual shouted: "That is your pal." She then peered over the sting and noticed Charmaine.
Prosecutor Alex Prentice QC requested her: "The place was she?" Caitlin stated: "Within the water."
The witness claimed Foster was nonetheless close to standing on the pier when she regarded about.
Mr Prentice: "Did you say something to Jacob?"
Caitlin instructed the court docket: "I used to be screaming at him to assist her. He simply stored saying: 'What have I achieved? I've taken it too far this time. I'm going away for a very long time'."
Caitlin dialled 999 to get her buddy assist, however Charmaine didn't survive.
Stephen Cairns was one of many males fishing that day. He remembered chatting with the younger girls and Foster additionally being there. The 42 year-old instructed jurors Charmaine had been standing at railings at one stage.
He instructed the court docket: "I circled and noticed the accused pushing the lady over the railing. He pushed her with each fingers."
The witness stated Charmaine had been dealing with the water on the time. He instructed the court docket that he recalled seeing Charmaine within the water with blood coming from her head.
The homicide cost claims Foster picked up the 25 year-old, carried her to a barrier earlier than pushing or throwing the lady. It's stated this brought on Charmaine to strike the "pier construction" or one other tough floor and the water beneath.
The indictment alleges this lead Charmaine to "ingest" water and that she was left so severely injured, she died. The trial, earlier than decide Lord Fairley, continues.
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