Police ScotlandA jury in a murder trial watched footage of a mum being repeatedly ‘stabbed’ in Edinburgh.
A 17-year-old boy is accused of killing Danielle Davidson on Constitution Street in Leith on May 18, 2023.
Prosecutors claim he had his face masked and made threats to the 33-year-old before repeatedly stabbing her in the head and body with a knife.
The boy – who cannot be identified due to his age – faces a separate charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
It is said he went into the closed toilets of a Tesco in the capital’s Duke Street “with a view to altering” his appearance after the alleged murder.
The indictment claims this was to avoid detection, arrest and prosecution.
Other accusations he faces include charges that he had a knife “without lawful authority” on the date of the alleged killing and the following day on Saughton Road.
The teenager pleaded not guilty and has lodged a special defence of self-defence at the High Court in Glasgow.
Jurors were shown CCTV at the beginning of the trial, which could last seven days.
The boy and another person – both dressed in black – were seen on electric scooters around the Kirkgate Centre area around 7.45pm.
Ms Davidson and a man walked in the opposite direction on Duke Street before she appeared to speak to the other person on the scooter.
She and the other person appeared to walk down Constitution Street, which runs beside Duke Street, with the man far behind them.
Ms Davidson was stated by the lawyers to have “money” or “paper” in her hand.
Meanwhile, the boy’s father – who was with another man – was seen having a phone conversation in a nearby pub.
They were seen quickly leaving the pub and running down Constitution Street towards Ms Davidson and the other person.
Footage appeared to show the boy’s father, a man he had been with, and the male Ms Davidson was with – who is holding a knife – and Ms Davidson having a discussion.
The other person was noted to be a distance away and appeared to be pointed at during the discussion.
The boy wearing a balaclava and carrying a bag was then seen to arrive at the scene on his scooter which he dropped to the ground
A figure wearing black said to be Ms Davidson’s male friend, appeared to have a weapon in his hand.
The boy also appeared to produce a knife in his hand.
The boy and the man were seen to remonstrate with each other on tramlines and the pavement.
During the incident, the boy’s father appeared to stand between them both.
The electric scooter was seen to be pulled from the ground and dropped by the man and Ms Davidson during the altercation.
Ms Davidson appeared to speak to the boy who she “motioned” or “pointed” at, and he went towards her.
Prosecutor John McElroy KC asked detective constable Philip Wright if the boy was seen to hold on to the woman and he replied: “Yes.”
Mr McElroy said: “What do you see him doing with his right hand?”
DC Wright replied: “He raised it up.”
Mr McElroyasked: “This was the right hand which had a knife in it?”
DC Wright replied: “Yes.”
Mr McElroy asked: “What do you see?”
DC Wright responded: “She is getting stabbed repeatedly.”
Mr McElroy also stated that Ms Davidson was also punched by the boy.
The footage appeared to show Ms Davidson lying on the tramlines before she sat up and then fell back down again.
In the meantime, the scooter is seen to exchange hands between the three men.
The footage then skipped to a Tesco, where the boy appeared to enter a women’s toilet, change his clothing, and exit the store.
Mr McElroy pointed jurors to the boy’s “particular” trainers which were said to be “similar” to the ones worn during the incident.
Footage from the following early morning appeared to show the boy wearing the “particular” shoes enter a white car and drive off.
The trial continues before Judge Lord Arthurson.
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