THE ex-girlfriend of a murder accused has been branded “calculating, manipulative and deceptive”.
The defence advocate in the murder case of a city businessman said prostitute Julie Carroll was capable of committing the killing.
Lorenzo Alonzi QC made the comments as he argued his client, Paul Balgowan, was innocent.
And he reminded jurors Carroll begged Balgowan to “take the rap” for her.
Closing speeches have been heard by Crown and defence agents at the trial at the High Court in Aberdeen over the alleged murder of 56-year-old Alan Bennett.
Paul Balgowan, 24, denies murdering Mr Bennett on the city’s Oldmill Road on May 30 last year.
Mr Alonzi said the case against Balgowan came down to his word against that of former girlfriend and co-accused Julie Carroll, 24 – who lodged a guilty plea to culpable homicide earlier this week.
The defence advocate described Carroll as “calculating, manipulative and deceptive”. Mr Alonzi said: “Mr Balgowan is someone who wears his heart on his sleeve.
“She on the other hand stays in the background. Is she the princess, wrapping him around her finger?”
But advocate depute Iain McSporran said the “house of cards” Balgowan had constructed to cover up the killing had “collapsed” on a damning piece of evidence.
Mr McSporran said evidence given last week by witness Raymond Scougall – who said Balgowan had called him minutes after the alleged offence saying he had stabbed a man – showed how “ridiculous” Balgowan’s version of events was.
Balgowan previously told the court he had admitted stabbing Mr Bennett to police to cover up for prostitute Carroll – who had lured Mr Bennett down a lane so the pair could rob him.
The jury is expected to begin deliberations on Monday.
shind@ajl.co.uk