Man Accused of Murder Claims ‘Total Darkness’ Descended

A man facing charges for the murder of his brother-in-law on Skye and the attempted murder of three additional individuals informed law enforcement that he experienced a sensation of “total darkness.” During a police interview recording presented to the High Court in Edinburgh, Finlay MacDonald stated that he felt a sense of betrayal upon discovering phone messages exchanged between his wife and her employer. He described this discovery as initiating a “black sequence of events.” Mr. MacDonald refutes the charges of attempting to murder his wife and two other individuals. Regarding the accusation of murdering John MacKinnon, he has submitted a special defence, asserting that he was experiencing an abnormality of mind. Previously in the trial proceedings, Rowena MacDonald testified that the messages found on her phone might have been perceived as flirtatious, but she clarified that she was not seeking a romantic relationship. On Thursday, the court was informed that Mr. MacDonald recounted to police how his wife initiated a struggle with him, which escalated beyond control. He stated they were grappling over the phone. Mr. MacDonald then described picking up a knife and stabbing her in what he termed a “moment of madness,” recalling the event as a blur. The court was told that he subsequently departed the family residence in Tarskavaig, Skye, in his vehicle, equipped with a shotgun and a knife. He expressed knowing he had committed a grave error and felt unable to rectify it, believing his life had ended. Mr. MacDonald stated that he began to reflect on the individuals he believed were responsible for his current situation. He mentioned John MacKenzie, an osteopath whom he held accountable for causing him injury. Additionally, he considered his brother-in-law, Mr. MacKinnon, whom he accused of bullying and assaulting him. Mr. MacDonald proceeded to Mr. MacKinnon’s residence in Tenague, Skye, according to court testimony. In the recorded statement, he recounted: “I went to his house and just confronted him and said he had always bullied me and been horrible to me. “He looked at me really aggressively and started coming towards me. Without even thinking the gun went off.” When questioned about whether he discharged the weapon, Mr. MacDonald replied, “I must have.” The court was informed that he subsequently traveled to the residence of John and Fay MacKenzie in Dornie, Wester Ross. He stated: “I just wanted to basically know what he had done to me.” Mr. MacDonald informed police that he had not arrived with the intent to cause harm to anyone. He recounted firing two shots through a window before entering the house to confront Mr. MacKenzie. When questioned about his reaction to police commands to surrender his weapon, he responded: “I’d lost my mind and anything sensible had gone out of my head.” He claimed the firearm discharged during a physical altercation. When asked why it discharged, he stated: “I pulled the trigger, I think. I felt like I was defending myself.” A detective inquired of him: “You were enraged with him so you shot him?” Mr. MacDonald asserted that he had not intended to. Further into the interview, he expressed: “If I could turn back the clock and not do any of it, I would.” “I’m so sorry.” Upon being informed of his arrest for the murder of Mr. MacKinnon, Mr. MacDonald remarked: “I lost my mind. I wasn’t the person I normally am.” He declared: “I have never done anything violent ever in my life.” Mr. MacDonald added that he felt as though he had gone over a cliff edge and “kept on falling.” The judicial proceedings are ongoing.