An Italian tourist told police he and his childhood friends had barely been in Scotland for 24 hours before he was involved in a fatal shooting at a Perthshire estate.
Franco Moroni arrived for the shooting party at Rossie Estate, near Dundee, with Onorio Galoni and Marco Cavola.
The High Court in Dundee has heard how the trip ended in tragedy when a shotgun blast by culpable homicide accused Moroni hit Mr Cavola in the back of the head, killing him instantly.
Moroni, 62, has admitted firing the shot but denies the charge of culpably and recklessly killing his friend on March 25 2019.
Jurors were read statements given by Moroni, who was a last-minute addition to the party and did not have his own licence to shoot.
He was first interviewed, as a witness, hours after the fatal shooting.
Sergeant Ian Borthwick – then a detective constable – read to the jury, revealing the three men live in the same town in Italy and have been friends “since we were kids”.
He said they arrived in Scotland together and got a taxi to their cottage at Braes of Airlie near Kirriemuir.
The statement read: “The purpose of our visit was to go hunting. I don’t shoot. I’m not an experienced hunter.
“I don’t own any guns or weapons in Italy.
“I was just taking part with Marco and Onorio for fun.
“I have shot before, with friends at home in Italy but it would have been between 15 and 20 years ago.”
He said they had dinner but no alcohol and were picked up the next morning by shooting agent Peter Bruce, who arranged the party.
The court has heard his shooting licence covered Moroni but only when he was there.
At the time of the fatality, he was in Dundee, getting petrol at the Asda supermarket.
The statement continued: “Peter took us to the area, the field where the accident took place.
“Peter issued a gun to Marco and to Onorio. I was not given a gun.
“Peter wasn’t aware that I would also use Marco’s gun.
“Marco told me to come and maybe I could shoot. It wasn’t an agreement as such.
“Before the accident, we were shooting from the same position within the tents.
“I was in the tent with Marco.
“I had shot a few times before the accident, maybe four or five times.
“Once I’d had a shot, I would give the gun back to Marco.
“The person who wasn’t shooting would kneel.”
Changed story
A day later at Dundee Police HQ, Moroni changed his story.
Detective Constable Andrew Howe read to jurors a fresh statement from that afternoon.
He described Moroni as “very upset, crying, just shouting out in pain.
“He just seemed to be repeating the name Marco,” he added.
The DC read: “We were all issued shotguns.
“I was scared and in a panic yesterday when I gave a statement.
“That is why I have said I had not been given a shotgun.
“I was totally in shock.”
DC Howe read: “I left my shotgun in the tent.
“I took Marco’s jacket and covered his head. This was as he was clearly dead.”
Moroni gave a third statement at West Bell Street on March 28.
The court has heard earlier Moroni told another police officer in the immediate aftermath Mr Cavola had been crouching down but stood suddenly as the accused pulled the trigger, hitting him in the back of the head.
Denial of criminality
Moroni, 62, c/o Beltrami, Glasgow, denies killing Marco Cavola at Rossie Estate, Castlehill, Inchture, on March 25 2019.
He denies culpably and recklessly repeatedly discharging a loaded shotgun in close proximity to another person and exposing him to the risk of injury.
He denies culpably and recklessly discharging a loaded shotgun in the direction of Mr Cavola, whereby he was struck on the head by shot and gases from the shotgun.
The charge alleges Mr Cavola sustained severe head injuries and died as a consequence of his injuries.
The trial, before Lord Clark, continues.
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