Isle of Skye murder rampage accused 'not impaired' by mental disorders

A man accused of murdering his brother-in-law and attempting to murder three others was not significantly impaired by his mental disorders, according to a psychologist.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard one expert considered that at the time of the alleged violent spree, Finlay MacDonald had undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder, personality disorder and was experiencing low mood and anxiety.

Advocate depute Liam Ewing, KC, asked forensic psychologist Lorraine Johnstone if the disorders, conditions and traits suffered by the now 41-year-old as a whole in August 2022 would have significantly impaired his ability to control his actions.

She replied: ‘No, I don’t think they did. I think, on the whole, the autism is relevant but not to the level and degree that it can account for his behaviour.’

MacDonald is accused of attempting to murder his wife Rowena, 34, on August 10, 2022 at their home in Tarskavaig on the Isle of Skye by repeatedly stabbing her.

The marine engineer is also accused of murdering his distillery worker brother-in-law John MacKinnon on the same date in Teangue, on Skye, by firing a shotgun at him. 

He is further alleged to have attempted to murder retired osteopath John MacKenzie and his wife Fay, both 65, at their home in the Highland village of Dornie by discharging a shotgun at them.

MacDonald has pleaded not guilty to the charges and lodged a special defence to the murder charge maintaining at the time of the alleged offence his ability to determine or control his conduct was substantially impaired by abnormality of mind.

Ms Johnstone told the court MacDonald said he knew he had done wrong when he attacked his wife and could not see a future for himself.

He armed himself with additional weapons and then set off motivated by a desire to confront others with whom he felt aggrieved.

The court later heard his wife had sustained nine stab wounds to her chest and liver that were a danger to her life and was flown to a Glasgow hospital where she remained until September 12.

Jurors were also told in agreed evidence that Mr MacKinnon suffered three shotgun wounds to his chest, abdomen and thigh. The cause of death was given as shotgun wound to the chest.

Mr MacKenzie was flown by air ambulance from Dornie, in Ross-shire, to Raigmore Hospital, in Inverness, in a critical condition and underwent surgery.

It was found that part of a kidney was blown away. His wife had small shotgun pellet wounds among other injuries.

The trial before judge Lady Drummond continues.