Skye murder accused 'not significantly impaired'

Mental disorders would not have significantly impaired an alleged murderer's ability to control his actions, a court has heard.

Finlay MacDonald was considered to have had undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder, personality disorder and was experiencing anxiety at the time he was accused of killing John MacKinnon and attempting to murder three others.

The 41-year-old denies all the charges against him following alleged knife and gun attacks on and around Skye on 10 August 2022.

Mr MacDonald, who is on trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, has lodged a special defence to the allegation of murdering his brother-in-law Mr MacKinnon, claiming he was suffering from abnormality of mind.

Advocate depute Liam Ewing KC asked forensic psychologist Lorraine Johnstone if the disorders, conditions and traits suffered by Mr MacDonald as a whole would have significantly impaired his ability to control his actions.

She replied: "No, I don't think they did."

Ms Johnstone told 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 is accused of attempting to murder his wife Rowena MacDonald, 34, at their home in Tarskavaig and murdering Mr MacKinnon, 47, in Teangue, both on Skye.

He is also alleged to have attempted to murder couple John and Fay MacKenzie, 65, in Dornie, Wester Ross.

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

Later, the court heard Mrs MacDonald had nine stab wounds and injuries to her chest and liver that were a danger to her life.

She remained in hospital in Glasgow for about a month.

Jurors were 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.

Retired osteopath Mr MacKenzie was flown by air ambulance to hospital in Inverness.

He was in a critical condition and required surgery.

The court heard it was found that part of one of his kidneys was blown away. He later underwent two further operations.

Mrs MacKenzie sustained multiple small wounds from shotgun pellets among other injuries.

The trial, before judge Lady Drummond, continues.