Man turned into ‘maniac’ and killed close friend

A MAN turned into “a maniac” and killed a close friend in a frenzied knife attack after complaining about party-goers showing a lack of respect to his home.

Robert Gracie, 23, had mopped up a spilled drink and had seen a picture knocked from the wall, and he ordered everyone out of his house.

He became involved in an argument with James Tierney, 27, and grabbed a knife and stabbed him repeatedly to the neck and chest.

A witness said he was like a maniac, and foaming at the mouth.

As Mr Tierney lay dying from his injuries, Gracie phoned his boss and said he would not be at work for ten years.

Gracie, the father of a weeks-old baby, admitted murdering Mr Tierney at his home in Letham Place, Pumpherston, West Lothian, on 2 April. He will be sentenced in January.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the men had known each other from childhood and were close friends.

Gracie decided to have a small party after his mother left for work, and he invited Mr Tierney, of Harrysmuir Terrace, Pumpherston, and two other friends. The advocate-depute, Pino Di Emidio, said mobile phone photographs showed that all the group seemed to be getting on well together. However, the atmosphere changed.

An angry Gracie was seen mopping the kitchen floor after Mr Tierney had spilled some alcohol. “He shouted at all persons to leave his house. The now deceased took exception to the accused instructing him to leave. He went outside into the garden and, it seems, challenged the accused,” said Mr Di Emidio.

The two friends squared up to each other, and Gracie became enraged and was heard to say: “I’m going to go f****** mental.” He picked up a large knife from a draining board just inside the kitchen door, and began to attack Mr Tierney, who curled up on the ground.