Three men to stand trial for knife and hammer murder after 23 years
Malcolm Kelt, 52, Alan Colvan, 42, and Marc Harris, 39, are accused of killing Darren Birt after previously displaying 'malice and ill-will' towards him.
The three were charged nearly 23 years after Birt was found lying in a street in the city's Barlanark area with serious injuries in the small hours of August 28, 2002. He died in hospital shortly afterwards.
Brian Birt has waited 23 years to see his son's suspected killers stand trial
LES GALLAGHER/THE SUN GLASGOW
Prosecutors claim Kelt, Colvan and Harris had shouted at and threatened the 22-year-old, chased him and hit him with a bottle.
The murder charge says Birt was then repeatedly attacked on the head and body with a knife or knives, struck with a hammer or similar weapon and punched and kicked.
Kelt, Colvan and Harris face a separate allegation of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
This includes an accusation that they got rid of weapons used in the killing. It is also claimed the trio changed their clothes and told a named man to wash the items. The indictment claims this was all done in a bid to avoid 'detection, arrest and prosecution' for the alleged killing.
The charge lists a number of different addresses in Barlanark.
Brian Birt's book tells the harrowing story of his continuing fight for justice
ALAN MACGREGOR EWING/THE SUN GLASGOW
The case called for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday.
Defence KCs Murray Macara, Donald Findlay and Tony Graham pleaded not guilty on behalf of each of the suspects.
The lawyers, along with the prosecutor Alex Prentice KC, agreed a trial could set. A continued preliminary hearing will take place in October at the High Court in Edinburgh after several legal issues were raised.
Findlay said: 'In cold cases, there will be particular issues that arise which are particular to this type of case. I have been in constant discussions as there are various matters. The advocate depute knows what I need to resolve and knows what I need from him.'
Calvay Place, Barlanark, where Birt was found in 2022
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A possible special defence may also be lodged by Findlay in due course. He said: 'This is causing a little difficulty due to a trial from all these years.'
Prentice stated that the Crown will mostly rely on CCTV and witness accounts.
Lord Mulholland went on to fix a trial and it is scheduled to begin in October next year at the High Court in Glasgow. The case could last 16 days.
Police Scotland had renewed their appeal for information into Birt's death in October 2022. A senior detective also appeared on BBC's Crimewatch morning show. Crimestoppers further offered a £20,000 reward to anyone who contacted them with information.
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