Skye murder charge trial postponed by high court
The trial of a man charged with the murder of his brother-in-law on Skye has been postponed until later this year.
Finlay MacDonald is accused of shooting John MacKinnon, 47, at his home in the island’s Teangue on August 10 2022.
The 40-year-old is separately charged with the attempted murder of his wife Rowena McDonald, 33, and two other people the same day.
Prosecutors claim MacDonald killed dad-of-six Mr MacKinnon by repeatedly discharging a shotgun striking him on the body.
MacDonald is said to have previously shown “malice and ill will” towards him.
MacDonald is earlier alleged to have tried to kill his wife at her home in the island’s Tarskavaig.
The indictment states he struggled with her and repeatedly stabbed her on the body with a knife.
The attempted murder charge claims this was to Mrs MacDonald’s severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment as well as to the danger of her life.
Prosecutors allege the offence was aggravated “by involving abuse of your partner or ex-partner”.
After the killing of Mr MacKinnon, it is said MacDonald carried out murder bids on chiropractor John Donald MacKenzie and his wife Fay.
The alleged attacks on the couple - both 63 at the time - happened around 30 miles away at their home in Dornie, Wester Ross.
MacDonald is said to have fired a shotgun at Mrs MacKenzie hitting her on the head and body. He is then accused of discharging the weapon at her husband striking the man on the body.
Similar to the charge involving his brother-in-law, MacDonald is also said to have directed previous ill-will towards Mr MacKenzie.
MacDonald finally faces an accusation of possessing a shotgun with intent to “endanger life”.
The indictment states he did attend at and travel between the different properties while armed with the firearm and ammunition.
MacDonald had pleaded not guilty to the charges in July 2023.
A trial was due to take place in May this year but this has been discharged.
MacDonald’s KC Donald Findlay KC today told a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday that an expert report on his client has to be carried out.
He said: “We were prepared for trial but an expert came up with a view that they are not qualified to deal with.
“They cannot do it and have pointed us in the direction of another.”
Lisa Gillespie KC stated: “Mr Findlay has no option but to explore a matter that an expert has told him to explore.
“This is a source of anguish for the next of kin as matters are dragging on with no resolution.
“It would be appropriate for the court to fix a timetable this will place the experts in a position where they work to the court’s timetable.”
Judge Lady Drummond set a timetable for the experts until the end of June when a further hearing will also take place.
A new seven-day trial date has also been set for November at the High Court in Edinburgh.