The jury in the trial of a man said to have “expressed affinity” with a mass murderer has been shown video footage of a US killer he “idolised”.
Gabrielle Friel is accused of intending to commit acts of terrorism in charges covering June 1 and August 16 last year in various locations in Edinburgh including Grindlay Court Community Justice Social Centre, the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and at his home in Comely Bank Road.
The 22-year-old is further accused of preparing for terrorist acts by conducting online research in relation to spree killings during this time, particularly those expressing motivation from or affiliation with so-called “incels” – involuntary celibates.
At the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday, prosecutor Richard Goddard QC described how US killer Elliot Rodger recorded the video up to the eve of his attack in 2014.
He killed three people in his California apartment and failed to break into a sorority house – his intended target – before instead killing another three people on the street and then himself.
The court was shown a seven-minute excerpt of the video – which it has been established Friel has previously watched.
In it, Rodger talks about “revenge against humanity”, discusses how “tomorrow will be the day of retribution”, being forced to adhere to rejection and being a virgin at 22.
The court earlier heard the accused was “very fixated on (almost idolising) Elliot Rodger and he feels just like him”.
Friel denies the charges against him.
The trial before Lord Beckett continues.
