Michael O'Hanlon murder accused denies he confessed to killing him
The man accused of murdering Mr Scotland bodybuilder champion Michael O'Hanlon has broken down in tears as he denied confessing to killing him.
The man accused of murdering Mr Scotland bodybuilder champion Michael O'Hanlon has broken down in tears as he denied confessing to killing him.
Steven Kirkwood, who’s pleading not guilty to murdering 45-year-old Michael, whose nickname was Musk, atHK Autotek garage in Stevenston, on July 25, last year, by stabbing him, was giving evidence for a second day at the High Court in Glasgow.
Prosecutor Richard Goddard said to Kirkwood: “You claim after the incident at the garage you didn't notice the blood and didn't think Mr O'Hanlon had a scratch on him,” and he agreed with that.
The jury has heard that Kirkwood drove to his stepson Derek Kirkwood's shop in Paisley after leaving the garage. In the shop at the time were his stepson and customer and friend Fraser Reid, 23.
Mr Goddard then said: “Why then less than 45 minutes later did you tell Fraser Reid : 'I set about Musky. I stabbed him. I think I've killed him,'” and Kirkwood replied: “I don't know what was said in the shop . I wouldn't have said I set about anybody. When I left the garage I didn't know what had happened.
“Musk was having breathing difficulties. I didn't think I had struck Musk with the knife.”
In evidence Kirwood claimed he couldn't remember what was said in the shop and added: “I was hysterical.”
Mr Goddard told Kirkwood: “We have seen you marching in the shop and giving Fraser Reid orders, the CCTC is turned off and you drive away. You weren't hysterical,” and he replied: “I was.”
Kirkwood addd: “I never attacked them. They attacked me so why should I tell Fraser Reid, someone I barely know, that I've just attacked him.”
Mr Goddard said that garage owner Ian Hamilton had described Kirkwood deliberately stabbing Michael O'Hanlon and added: “That fits with what you told Fraser Reid.”
Kirkwood told the prosecutor: “I don't know what I told Fraser Reid. I never confessed to anything. I didn't know until 15 minutes after I left the shop that Michael had been stabbed and I didn't know until 3.45pm in my lawyer's officer that he had died.”
He then broke down sobbing and the court had to be adjourned to allow him to compose himself.
Kirkwood has lodged a special defence of self-defence.
The trial before judge Lady Rae continues.