The family of the "kindest" man watched on in horror as a man accused of murder denied all charges. The BBC's hit documentary series Murder Trial is back, plunging viewers into the heart of a real-life murder case within Scotland's High Courts. This time, titled Death of a Dog Walker, viewers will witness the murder trial of David Campbell, who was accused of killing Brian Low.
Both episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now, as a synopsis reads: "Guilty or not guilty? Murder Trial returns to the Scottish High Courts with the case of a man found dead in the middle of the countryside, with no witnesses, no forensics linking a suspect to the deceased and an accused man who the prosecution say has meticulously covered his tracks."
Heartbreaking admission in court
With viewers taking a seat directly in the courtroom, they will see prosecution and defence teams make their arguments as they put forward their cases and speak to witnesses. However, the documentary also hears from Brian's loved ones, including his older brother Douglas, who attended court and faced killer David Campbell every day. During the two episodes, viewers will see Douglas in the public gallery, unable to hide his emotions as he could be seen fighting back tears during the course of the trial.
Speaking to cameras about the trial, Douglas made a heartbreaking admission when it was revealed that Brian's death had initially been treated as non-suspicious, before evidence showed he had been shot dead. Douglas said: "I must admit I was so sad and so angry at the same time, how could this happen? The graphic photographs, to be honest, they were so horrific I barely kept my breakfast down. They were really horrific, I can't imagine why someone would say that is a medical event."
Tribute to a 'kindest' brother
Paying tribute to his brother, Douglas said: "Who would want to harm Brian? He was the kindest, nicest person you could ever imagine. I never thought he had an enemy in the world, I really didn't." The two-part series also hears how Douglas did not want Brian's life to be "determined by the tragic event" as he was "much much more than that, he meant so much to all of us."
Revealing how he made a promise to his dying father that he would look after his mum and younger brother, Douglas heartbreakingly revealed: "Obviously I didn't do a very good job of that." Having been forced to relive that harrowing day several years later during the murder trial, Brian's loved ones were stunned by the evidence given at court, as Douglas himself admitted it never entered his mind that David would "harbour a grudge for all that time."
Partner's evidence and sentencing
The series also hears from Brian's partner Pam, who also gave evidence, as she said: "You just don't know what way it's going to go. I wish I could've stood up and said have you ever been told one day your partner is dead and four days later he's been shot and murdered, would you be thinking straight at these times?"
David Campbell was found guilty of murder and given a life sentence by Lord Scott, one that he would serve for a minimum of 19 years. At sentencing, Lord Scott said: "It may be that given serious errors in the early stages of the police enquiries you thought initially that you had literally got away with murder. If so, you were wrong."
Murder Trial: Death of a Dog Walker can be streamed on BBC iPlayer from today. Episodes will also be released at 9pm on BBC Two on Wednesdays.
