Court hears mental conditions did not significantly impair Skye murder accused

A court was informed that mental disorders would not have substantially hindered an individual accused of murder from controlling their behavior. At the time Finlay MacDonald faced accusations of killing John MacKinnon and attempting to murder three additional individuals, he was believed to have been suffering from undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder, a personality disorder, and anxiety. The 41-year-old denies all allegations stemming from reported knife and gun assaults that occurred on and near Skye on August 10, 2022. Mr. MacDonald, currently undergoing trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, has presented a special defense against the charge of murdering his brother-in-law, Mr. MacKinnon, asserting that he was experiencing an abnormality of mind. Advocate depute Liam Ewing KC questioned forensic psychologist Lorraine Johnstone regarding whether the collective disorders, conditions, and traits experienced by Mr. MacDonald would have significantly compromised his capacity to control his actions. Her response was: “No, I don’t think they did.” Ms Johnstone stated to the court: “I think, on the whole, the autism is relevant but not to the level and degree that it can account for his behaviour.” Mr. MacDonald faces charges of attempting to murder his 34-year-old wife, Rowena MacDonald, at their residence in Tarskavaig, and murdering 47-year-old Mr. MacKinnon in Teangue, both locations situated on Skye. Furthermore, he is alleged to have attempted to murder John and Fay MacKenzie, both 65, in Dornie, Wester Ross. Ms. Johnstone testified that Mr. MacDonald admitted knowing his actions were wrong when he assaulted his wife and felt he had no future. Subsequently, the court was informed that Mrs. MacDonald sustained nine stab wounds and injuries to her chest and liver, which were life-threatening. She stayed in a Glasgow hospital for approximately one month. Jurors received information, presented as agreed evidence, that Mr. MacKinnon sustained three shotgun wounds to his chest, abdomen, and thigh. The stated cause of death was a shotgun wound to the chest. Mr. MacKenzie, a retired osteopath, was transported by air ambulance to a hospital in Inverness. He was in a critical state and necessitated surgical intervention. The court was informed that a portion of one of his kidneys was discovered to have been destroyed. He subsequently underwent two additional surgical procedures. Mrs. MacKenzie suffered numerous small wounds from shotgun pellets, in addition to other injuries. The proceedings, presided over by judge Lady Drummond, are ongoing.