Trial date set for pair accused of murdering and dismembering man

Two suspects are to stand trial in 2028 charged with murdering a man and then dumping his dismembered remains.

David McColl, 51, and Linda Kelly, 48, allegedly killed Graham Wright on 21 or 22 August last year at a flat in Glasgow's Gorbals area.

It is claimed the 38 year-old was fatally assaulted by "means unknown".

McColl, Kelly and 54 year-old John Joseph Roarty also face a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by dismembering the victim and disposing of his body parts in various locations, including Loch Lomond.

The details emerged during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

The remains were allegedly removed in bags, rucksacks and suitcases from the Gorbals flat.

Court papers state body parts of Wright were then hidden in a cellar at a property in the city's Castlemilk area as well as in nearby woods.

They were also allegedly put in a shower curtain, placed in a shopping basket and concealed at the former Blairbeth Golf Course in Rutherglen.

A van was also hired and allegedly driven to Loch Lomond, where it is claimed the victim's legs were disposed of near the area's Firkin Point and Rubha Dubh beach.

Prosecutors state the vehicle was eventually set on fire, while weapons used in dismembering the body were gotten rid of.

The charges go on to list a number of other accusations.

Kelly is said to have told the victim's father - Graeme senior - that she had not seen his son and was unaware where he was.

It is further alleged she gave an account to police that Wright had left her house on the evening of 20 August for Glasgow city centre and that was the last she saw him.

Kelly is also accused of threatening a woman not to reveal any details of what she knew of the incident.

McColl is said to have told officers that he had not seen Wright for a month.

It is stated on a separate occasion he instead alleged not to know the victim.

The indictment further claims "renovation works" occurred at the Gorbals flat and that the cellar in Castlemilk was cleaned with bleach, with items such as sheets and a mattress being disposed of.

It is alleged Wright's phone, clothes and glasses were also gotten rid of.

The prosecution state this was done to prevent the cause of death being established, hinder the police investigation and avoid potential arrest.

The charge spans between 21 August and 13 September last year.

McColl and Kelly also face earlier accusations involving Wright.

McColl allegedly attacked him on "various occasions" between October 2023 and August 2025 while Kelly is said to have acted with others in assaulting Wright in the earlier of those two dates.

The pair are further stated to have acted in a threatening and abusive manner towards him.

Donald Findlay KC, for McColl, and Brian McConnachie KC, for Kelly, both denied the accusations against their clients.

Iain McSporran KC, defending Roarty, offered a much-reduced guilty plea to one of the charges he faces but this was rejected.

The lawyers, along with advocate depute Ali Murray who will lead the prosecution in the case, agreed a trial could be set.

Lord Renucci confirmed it would start in January 2028 in Glasgow and was expected to last 20 days.