TWO MEN accused of murdering a local blues musician 2.5 years ago pleaded guilty to manslaugher yesterday at Derry Crown Court.
Father of five James Guthrie Gilchrist (62), from the Woodbrook area of Derry, was murdered and his body then dumped in the River Foyle on September 28th, 2005.
Last week Anthony Fahy (20), Northland Road, Derry, changed his plea and admitted the murder. Yesterday Daryl Quigley (21), Crawford Square, and Daniel Young (21), Cornshell Fields, changed their pleas from not guilty of murder to guilty of manslaughter.
Prosecution barrister John Orr QC said he had received the authority to accept the pleas of guilty to manslaughter from Quigley and Young. He said he had also received authority not to offer further evidence against Young's brother, David (27), Jefferson Court, Derry, who had denied a charge of withholding information about Mr Gilchrist's murder.
Fahy, Quigley and Daniel Young will all be sentenced on May 23rd for their part in the death of Mr Gilchrist. David Young will be sentenced on the same date after admitting charges of forgery and of handling a stolen cheque book belonging to Mr Gilchrist.