A man accused of going on a rampage that left one person dead and three others seriously injured will stand trial for murder next year.
Finlay MacDonald is accused of shooting dead his brother-in-law, John MacKinnon, 47, at his home in Teangue, Skye, on August 10 last year.
The 40-year-old is separately charged with the attempted murder of his wife Rowena MacDonald, 33, and two other people the same day.
Prosecutors claim MacDonald killed the father-of-six by repeatedly discharging a shotgun, striking him on the body.
MacDonald is said to have previously shown ‘malice and ill-will’ towards him.
Pictured: Rowena MacDonald, 33, who was repeatedly stabbed on the body with a knife, at her home in Tarskavaig, Skye
John MacKinnon, 47, a father of six, suffered fatal gunshot wounds
John D Mackenzie, 63 and Fay MacKenzie, 63, were attacked in the incident in Isle of Skye
Police were first called to Rowena MacDonald, 32, who suffered ‘serious’ stab injuries
As it unfolded: Police were called to several ‘linked’ incidents across the Isle of Skye
The indictment also states that he struggled with Mrs MacDonald and repeatedly stabbed her on the body with a knife at her home in Tarskavaig, Skye.
The attempted murder charge claims that 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 attempts 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, Ross-shire.
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 is said to have previously shown ‘malice and ill-will’ towards Mr MacKinnon (pictured)
Police stand guard outside a property in the Teangue area on the Isle of Skye in Scotland
An air ambulance was pictured at the scene in the Scottish Highlands after the attacks
Police officers were alerted to reports of gunshots 26 miles away on the mainland in Dornie
A police van pictured at the scene of one of the incidents on the Isle of Skye on Wednesday
The shootings resulted in the death of Mr MacKinnon and the injuring of three other people
MacDonald finally faces an accusation of possessing a shotgun with intent to ‘endanger life’. The indictment states that he did attend at and travel between the different properties while armed with the firearm and ammunition.
The case called for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday.
MacDonald’s lawyer Shahid Latif told the court: ‘He pleads not guilty to the charges on the indictment.’
Mr Latif said defence inquiries are ongoing, but he was content for a trial to be fixed.
Along with prosecutor Lisa Gillespie, KC, he also asked for a further hearing to take place before then, in December this year. Lord Fairley went on to state: ‘I will assign a trial of seven days’ duration for May 14 in Glasgow.’
The incidents are believed to have taken place in the Dornie (pictured) area on Skye
Forensics officers were seen at a property in the Dornie area of Wester Ross, on the northwest coast of Scotland, following the incident
A forensic team carried out an investigation into the incident at a property in the Dornie area
Two crowdfunders at the time set up to help the affected families reportedly raised more than £70,000.
Mr MacKinnon’s funeral took place in Sleat on Skye with up to 800 people at the service.
Police Scotland Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said following the incidents: ‘This was a very tragic and extremely concerning incident in a remote part of Scotland.
‘It is a very difficult time for John MacKinnon’s family.’
DailyMail
