The family of a Dundee mum who was stabbed to death in the street say they’ve “got justice” for her after her killer was found guilty of culpable homicide.
Siobhan Russell had been accused of murdering Marie Low, 36, in Ballantrae Terrace following a row between the pair.
The 30-year-old denied the charge, submitting a special defence of self-defence — stating that she had been defending herself after being attacked by the deceased and her eldest daughter Jamie-Lee.
The jury returned their verdict on Thursday, finding Russell guilty by majority of culpable homicide.
They also ruled that there was no provocation on the part of Ms Low.
Ms Low’s family gathered together in the courtroom for the jury delivering their verdict — joining hands in a show of solidarity.
Speaking after the verdict, Ms Low’s family told the Tele they would “stay strong”.
Marie’s father Albert Low, who attended every day of the proceedings, thanked court staff for the support they offered the family throughout the trial.
He said: “At least Russell has been convicted for what she has done. We have got justice for Marie.”
Ms Low’s brother David added: “No matter what happened in the court, this is a massive loss to our family. Marie will always be missed — she will always be in our hearts.”
Jane Logan, Ms Low’s mum, welcomed Russell’s conviction and said that jurors had vindicated her daughter by ruling out provocation.
She said: “The main thing is that the jury ruled out provocation. It was devastating that they were trying to say that this was Marie’s fault.
“I am happy knowing that her name has been cleared.”
Ms Low’s brother Kevin said: “Marie’s death was a great loss to me and the rest of the family.
“I’ll never get over it. It hurts me every day — but my family will remain strong regardless for Marie.”
Russell was found guilty of an amended charge of assaulting Ms Low, pulling her by the hair and striking her on the body with a knife and killing her.
Russell will return to the court in January for sentencing.
Jurors heard five days of evidence and then closing speeches from solicitors before coming to their verdict.
The trial centred around a confrontation between Russell and her victim on September 4 last year, outside of the accused’s Ballantrae Terrace flat.
The fact that Russell had been the one to stab Ms Low was not disputed. However, defence solicitors sought to prove that she had been acting in self-defence.
According to witnesses, the pair had been involved in confrontations — including two alleged fist fights — in the days prior to the incident.
The court heard that Ms Low attended the property, along with daughter Jamie-Lee, 18, and a fight broke out — with Ms Low suffering a stab wound injury that eventually led to her death.
Russell’s defence team, headed by solicitor advocate Iain Cameron, argued Russell had been defending herself during an attack from the deceased and Jamie-Lee — and the stabbing had taken place “during the melee”.
Advocate depute Alan Cameron maintained the evidence of the case showed Russell had not acted in self-defence, stating she had willingly involved herself in a confrontation and had taken the knife from her home, and subsequently used it.
Ms Low was rushed to Ninewells from the scene and died a short time later, having suffered five cardiac arrests due to the left ventricle in her heart being pierced by the blade.
The court previously heard of a fractious relationship between Russell and Ms Low, who lived in the same street, with witnesses telling of three separate altercations between the two in the days preceding Ms Low’s death.
In a final confrontation, witnesses told of seeing Ms Low attend Russell’s property and a fight breaking out.
The court heard from Ms Low’s daughter.
Jamie-Lee gave a tearful account of intervening in the fight, saying she saw Russell plunge the blade into her mum.
The court also heard from Russell’s friend Leanne Carty, who said the accused admitted that she had “just stabbed Marie” on the phone to her as police descended on her home.
Several police officers also told of hearing the accused admit “the knife is under the kitchen sink”, where a black-handled knife was recovered.
Judge Lord Burns deferred sentence until January for social work background reports and remanded Russell in custody meantime.
https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/dundee-murder-trial-verdict-siobhan-russell-guilty-killing-marie-low/
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