Man stabbed friend to death after street fight

A former music student has been convicted of stabbing his friend to death after a street fight, following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

Francis McConnachie, 36, stabbed 21-year-old Thomas O'Rourke four times following a row between the pair in their hometown of Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, on 24 February 2023.

Mr O'Rourke was found with serious injuries and died a short time later.

McConnachie denied murder and was convicted of the reduced charge of culpable homicide while acting under provocation.

During the trial, jurors heard the men had ended up in McConnachie's home, where the atmosphere was initially described as "good", when a row broke out.

This led to McConnachie ordering his friend to leave.

McConnachie claimed Mr O'Rourke had threatened him and his brother before leaving, so he said he "went after him".

The court heard the pair ended up in a "stand-up fight" on the street before McConnachie was pulled away and both returned to their homes.

McConnachie said he heard Mr O'Rourke shouting outside and left his property again.

He told the trial Mr O'Rourke was armed with a knife and said he told him: "You do not stab your pals."

It was understood that there was a "big struggle" with both men on the ground as McConnachie supposedly tried to disarm him.

It was during this that Mr O'Rourke was fatally struck four times.

McConnachie said he was "trying to fight for my life" and he was "extremely shocked" when he spotted Mr O'Rourke on the ground dying.

He was later heard to state: "How can I plead my innocence? I was defending myself.

"If someone is trying to kill you, what are you meant to do?"

However, prosecutors said he had gone after Mr O'Rourke when he could have easily stayed at home.

There was evidence he was demanding to know where the victim was while shouting: "I will do 15 years".

Advocate depute Ann MacNeill put to him that he had "unfinished business" with Mr O'Rourke, stating he went out with "two knives, tooled up", which McConnachie denied.

Judge Lord Arthurson adjourned sentencing until the new year for reports.