Court hears murder accused William Kelly told nurse: "she got what she deserved"
The 41-year-old is accused of murdering his mother by covering her in petrol and setting her on fire
Last updated 7th Dec 2017
A staff nurse has told the High Court in Glasgow a Kilmarnock man accused of murdering his mother told her: “I did what I had to do. I was provoked. She got what she deserved.”
Lisa Neill was giving evidence at the trial of William Kelly, 41, who denies murdering his mother Cathy Kelly by punching and kicking her and then pouring petrol over her and setting it alight.
Cathy died during the incident at their home in Kilmaurs Road on February 11.
Ms Neill, who works as a staff nurse in the burns unit at Glasgow Infirmary, told prosecutor Ashley Edwards QC that Kelly made the remarks as she was dressing burns to his ears on February 24 or 25.
She agreed with advocate Derrick Nelson that two police officers were guarding Kelly, he was allowed no visitors until the end of February, and the staff did not know what had happened.
Mr Nelson said: “There was a conversation with Mr Kelly, but you don't know what he was referring to,” and she agreed.
Kelly was admitted to the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow with burns injuries he sustained in the fire and was discharged on March 6.
Mechanic Mark Stewart, 41, a long-time friend of Kelly told the court he visited him in hospital at the beginning of March.
Mr Stewart said that there were two police officers guarding the door and he asked if he could enter and was allowed to do so.
Miss Edwards asked: “Did you speak about what had happened,” and Mr Stewart replied: “Yes. I said to William 'I'm sorry to hear about your mother.'”
The prosecutor then asked how Kelly responded and was told: “He told me what he could remember. He said he was at a party and had found his mum lying on the pavement and took her home. He said he helped her out the taxi and put her on a couch in the living room.”
Mr Stewart then told the jury that Kelly said he went to the garage and was using petrol to clean wind deflectors.
He added: “He said he came back in the house to get a cigarette, lit the cigarette and all he could remember was a blue flash. He said he then ran out the back door and got a hose.”
Miss Edwards asked: “Did Mr Kelly say anything more,” and Mr Stewart replied: “I kind of changed the conversation. I could see he was really upset.”
The court heard that Kelly was charged with murder and other offences on March 6 at Saltcoats police office and made no reply.
The trial before judge Lady Stacey continues.