A battle against unique verdict.

The end of the trial is certain to spark fresh controversy over Scotland's unique Not Proven verdict.

A campaign to scrap it was launched after two recent high profile cases, both involving McGraw's QC Donald Findlay.

Hamilton man Francis Auld was accused of the murder of pretty teenager Amanda Duffy.

During the trial, he admitted kissing and cuddling Amanda hours before her death. Evidence matched a severe bite mark on her breast to Auld's dental records.

But Auld, represented in court by Findlay, walked free with a Not Proven verdict.

Two years earlier, Findlay defended Gourock teenager David Anderson when he was charged with stabbing taxi driver Raymond Mullan through the heart. Anderson claimed Mr Mullan had "fallen" on his knife. A not proven verdict followed.

The controversial verdict hit the headlines again last year when two men accused of murdering Clydebank fireman Ralph Sprott walked free.

Amanda Duffy's father Joe, who has campaigned for the verdict to be scrapped, said: "It is a lazy cop- out and it is about time it was abolished.

"It is also unjust for the accused because it means the jury can't make up their minds.

"If you give people too many choices they will always go for the easy option."

Donald Findlay's use of the Not Proven verdict has become almost legendary.

The colourful QC and Rangers vice chairman, noted for his sideburns, pipe, fedora and bright silk ties, has said: "It's better to have 99 guilty men go free than have one innocent man go to jail."

But the verdict has been criticised for centuries.

Sir Walter Scott once referred to "this bastard verdict".

And down through the years law commissions and academics have agreed it should no longer play a part in the Scottish legal system.