'99 suspects' over Gerbil murder
The Kevin 'Gerbil' Carroll murder trial has heard how police compiled a list of 99 potential suspects after the Glasgow gangland figure was shot dead.
The names, which included the Lyons, McGovern and Daniels families, were read out at the High Court in Glasgow.
The list, compiled by a police intelligence unit, was revealed at the trial of 30-year-old Ross Monaghan.
He denies murdering Mr Carroll at the Asda car park in Robroyston, Glasgow, on 13 January 2010.
Mr Monaghan's name was not on the list which was read out by defence QC Derek Ogg to the jury of 10 men and five women.
Names recognisedDet Sgt David Moran, of Strathclyde Police, who worked on the murder investigation for a year, was asked if he knew that the list had been compiled.
Mr Ogg said: "The Crown are required to disclose to me information which may be of interest. The Crown has given a list of names to me as potential suspects of the murder of the deceased," and Mr Moran replied: "Yes."
Mr Ogg then said: "Police intelligence at Strathclyde Police produced a list of potential suspects," and Det Sgt Moran replied: "I know."
He then read out the names and asked Mr Moran: "Do you recognise these names," and he replied: "A large number of them."
The QC added: "Kevin Gerbil Carroll was not short of an enemy or two - some of whom were well capable of shooting him to death," and Mr Moran said: "That is the case."
Det Sgt Moran was then asked if Mr Carroll operated at a high level in the world of organised crime and asked to answer yes or no.
The detective replied: "I don't feel able to give a yea or no answer."
Judge Lord Brailsford then asked Mr Ogg how many names he had read out and was told "Ninety nine."
Earlier in his evidence Mr Moran told advocate depute, Iain McSporran, prosecuting, that he was involved in the investigation from the first day and spent about a year working on it.
He was asked about the finding of two guns behind Coatbridge Library 13 days after Mr Carroll was shot to death.
Det Sgt Moran was asked by Mr McSporran: "Was this finding of huge significance", and replied: "It was massive."
Mr McSporran then said that ballistics experts had found that these were the two guns used by Mr Carroll's killers and Mr Moran replied: "Yes."
The jury heard that William Paterson - one of the men blamed by Mr Monaghan for involvement in the shooting - took a one way ticket from Glasgow to Malaga on 23 January 2010.
Mr McSporran asked the detective: "There is a European arrest warrant in force for William Paterson," and he replied: "Yes, sir, there is."
The prosecutor added: "He left the country and is not known to have been back," and Mr Moran told him: "I can confirm that."
Mr McSporran then said: "Are you focusing on finding him?" and Det Sgt Moran replied: "The investigation at present solely centres on tracing William Paterson."
It is alleged that while masked and acting with others, Mr Monaghan murdered Mr Carroll by repeatedly discharging loaded handguns at him, shooting him on the head and body.
He is further accused of, while acting with others, attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of a revolver, pistol and ammunition within undergrowth in Coatbridge and Airdrie, both Lanarkshire.
It is also claimed a car - bearing false number plates YF 55 EZZ - was set on fire.
Mr Monaghan also faces a number of firearms charges.
He denies all the charges against him and has lodged a special defence of incrimination against eight men.
The trial before judge Lord Brailsford continues.
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