Wife 'can't remember' if husband had grievances with his alleged murder victim, court hears

The wife of a murder suspect blew a kiss at her husband in the dock before telling a court she 'couldn't remember' if there were any grievances between her partner and his alleged victim.

Prosecutors are claiming David Campbell, 77, gunned down former colleague Brian Low, 65, on a remote track near Aberfeldy, Perthshire, on 16 February 2024.

Campbell has pleaded not guilty to eight charges, and has lodged a special defence of alibi in connection with the shotgun murder accusation - claiming he was at home at the time of the alleged shooting.

Both men had worked at Edradynate Estate, where Campbell was head gamekeeper between May 1984 and February 2018 and Mr Low was a groundsman between August 2000 and February 2023.

On Thursday, Elizabeth Campbell, 77, blew a kiss at her husband of 57 years when she took to the witness stand at the High Court in Glasgow.

Mrs Campbell, known as Betty, told jurors that she knew Mr Low from her own time working at the "big house" on the estate.

She noted: "I didn't get along with him, but I didn't not get along with him."

When questioned by Advocate Depute Greg Farrell if there were any issues or grievances between her husband and Mr Low, Mrs Campbell replied: "No."

When pressed further, Mrs Campbell said: "I can't really say anything specific."

She added: "I just didn't know about any grievances."

Last week, jurors heard how Campbell allegedly "loathed" Mr Low.

Crown witnesses testified that the accused had suspected Mr Low of trying to "set him up" after dead birds were found on the estate.

In a police statement given to officers on 28 February 2024, Mrs Campbell said of Mr Low: "I have no feeling for or against the guy."

Read more from the trial:
Man accused of shotgun murder 'loathed victim'
Alleged killer thought murder victim was trying to 'set him up'
CCTV at suspect's home 'went off on morning of alleged shooting'

In the same statement, Mrs Campbell said "there was one or two grievances between Brian and Dave".

When once again questioned by Mr Farrell about what she knew about any potential grievances, Mrs Campbell replied: "I'm telling you now under oath, I don't remember."

During proceedings last week, jurors heard how Mr Low's face had around 30 shotgun pellet injuries.

Despite this, the death was initially treated as a "medical event" with Mr Low's bloody injuries suspected to have been caused by a fall.

Detective Constable Mark Chance agreed his initial assessment was wrong as he admitted he had never encountered a firearm death in the area before.

The court was told that when Mr Low's remains reached a mortuary, shotgun pellets fell out of the bag.

A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be gunshot wounds to the neck and chest.

The police mistake meant the crime scene was not sealed off and forensically examined until days after Mr Low's body was found.

Mrs Campbell was questioned about her electric bicycle, which she said she had rode a few times in late 2023 and early 2024 in the surrounding area where Mr Low's body was discovered.

She told the court she went out on the bike to become more "proficient".

Along with the murder charge, Campbell is accused of having replacement tyres fitted on an e-bike reportedly used during the alleged shooting.

Mr Farrell put it to Mrs Campbell that soil sample analysis connected her bike to the area Mr Low's body was found and her testimony would "offer an explanation" as to why that is.

Mrs Campbell said: "I am on oath here. I have already told you that I was up there on my bike. Why would I lie?"

The prosecutor responded: "You might lie to protect your husband."

Mrs Campbell then replied: "I took an oath, I believe in God, I am telling you the truth."

In a police statement taken in May 2024, Mrs Campbell told officers she did not believe the bike had been used that year.

When quizzed on why her court testimony differed, she replied that she had been "under a lot of pressure" by the police.

Mrs Campbell was also shown a CCTV image of a cyclist, however she stated "it's not Dave" as the figure didn't have "his shape" and her husband "never wears a hat or a hood".

She was then shown CCTV footage recorded at the couple's home which showed her husband wearing a woollen hat.

In response, she claimed that was "very, very unusual", before adding: "He wears it periodically, but never away from the house."

Mrs Campbell also said her daughter moved the couple's doorbell camera from the front door to the back door, but footage played to the court appeared to show Campbell attempting to fit the device while his wife stood next to him.

Mrs Campbell replied that she could "have sworn" her daughter fitted it, adding: "I honestly don't remember."

Under cross examination by defence lawyer Tony Lenehan KC, Mrs Campbell appeared emotional when she agreed it had not been a pleasant experience and the last two years had been "tumultuous".

The trial, before Lord Scott, continues.

(c) Sky News 2026: Wife 'can't remember' if husband had grievances with his alleged murder victim, court hears