A former music student has been found guilty of stabbing his friend after a street fight, following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.
Frances McConachie, 36, stabbed Thomas O’Rourke, 21, four times on February 24, 2023, in his home town of Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, after an argument between the couple.
Mr O’Rourke was found seriously injured and died a short time later.
McConaughey denied murder and was convicted of the lesser charge of culpable homicide while acting under provocation.
During the trial, jurors heard the men ended up at McConachie’s home, where the atmosphere was initially described as “good” when a row broke out.
This led to McConaughey ordering his friend to leave.
McConnachie claimed Mr O’Rourke had threatened him and his brother before leaving, so he said he “went after him”.
The court heard the pair ended up in a “stand-up fight” in the street before McConaughey was pulled over and both returned home.
McConnachie said he heard Mr O’Rourke shouting outside and left his property again.
He told the trial Mr O’Rourke was armed with a knife and said he told him: “You don’t stab your friends.”
It was understood there was a “huge struggle” with the two men on the ground as McConaughey tried to disarm him.
During this time Mr O’Rourke was fatally attacked four times.
McConnachie said he was “trying to fight for his life” and was “extremely shocked” when he saw Mr O’Rourke lying dead on the ground.
He was later heard to say: “How can I plead my innocence? I was defending myself.
“If someone is trying to kill you, what is your goal?”
However, prosecutors said they went after Mr O’Rourke when he could easily have stayed at home.
There was evidence that he was demanding to know the victim shouting: “I’ll do 15 years”.
Advocate depute Anne McNeill told him he had “unfinished business” with Mr O’Rourke, saying he had gone out with “two knives, tool up”, which McConachie denied. .
Judge Lord Arthurson adjourned sentencing until the New Year for reports.