Police ScotlandA man has been convicted of stabbing his friend to death outside his home.
Francis McConnachie fatally attacked friend Thomas O’Rourke, 21, after a row between the pair in their hometown of Wishaw, Lanarkshire on February 24, 2023.
The 36-year-old had denied murdering Thomas, who was stabbed four times.
McConnachie was convicted of the reduced charge of culpable homicide while acting under provocation following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced in the new year.
The pair had ended up in McConnachie’s home that day after he returned from walking his dad’s dog.
He described the atmosphere as initially “good” between them.
But a row then broke out, leading McConnachie to order his friend to leave.
The killer claimed Thomas went on to make threats to him and his brother before he left.
McConnachie: “I basically went after him.”
The court heard the pair ended up in a “stand-up fight” out in the street before McConnachie was pulled away. Both then returned to their homes.
However, McConnachie said he heard Thomas back outside shouting and left his property again.
He claimed Thomas was armed with a knife. McConnachie said he told him: “You do not stab your pals.”
The killer stated he was “in disbelief”, but he managed to grab hold of Thomas.
The court heard there was a “big struggle” with both men on the ground as McConnachie is said to have tried to disarm him.
During this, Thomas was fatally struck, but McConnachie said he did not know how it happened.
His KC Richard Goddard asked him: “Do you know what part of the body the knife damaged?”
He replied: “No.”
Mr Goddard: “What was going through your head?”
McConnachie: “Panic, loss of breath. I was trying to fight for my life.”
He said he was “extremely shocked” when he saw Thomas on the ground dying.
McConnachie 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?”
Prosecutors said McConnachie had gone after Thomas when he could have easily stayed at home.
There was evidence he was demanding to know where Thomas was while shouting: “I will do 15 years.”
Advocate depute Ann MacNeill put to him that he had “unfinished business” with the victim.
Ms MacNeill said: “You went out with two knives tooled up.”
McConnachie: “No, I did not do that.”
Lord Arthurson adjourned sentencing for reports.
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