Trial date set for man accused of shotgun homicide of brother-in-law on Skye
A trial date has been set for a person accused of the shotgun homicide of his brother-in-law in an alleged capturing spree within the Scottish Highlands.
Finlay MacDonald is accused of murdering John MacKinnon, 47, at his residence in Teangue, Skye, on 10 August final 12 months by capturing him repeatedly.
He can be accused of trying to homicide his personal spouse, Rowena MacDonald, and two different individuals on the identical day.
MacDonald’s lawyer, Shahid Latif, mentioned the 40-year-old denies all the costs in opposition to him when the case was known as on the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday.
MacDonald can be alleged to have beforehand displayed “malice and ill will” in direction of Mr MacKinnon.
He is accused of getting tried to homicide his spouse the identical day at her residence in Tarskavaig, Skye, on the other aspect of the Sleat peninsula from Teangue.
MacDonald is alleged to have struggled along with her and repeatedly stabbed her with a knife, inflicting extreme damage, everlasting disfigurement, everlasting impairment and endangering her life.
Prosecutors allege he additionally tried to homicide John Donald MacKenzie and his spouse Fay, each 63, on the identical day, travelling some 30 miles from Skye to their residence in Dornie, Wester Ross.
He is accused of capturing each to the physique and Mrs MacKenzie to the top, allegedly inflicting extreme damage, everlasting disfigurement and endangering their lives.
He can be mentioned to have proven earlier ill-will in direction of Mr MacKenzie and is accused of inflicting him everlasting impairment.
Read extra from throughout the UK:
Sinead O’Connor was found unresponsive at her home in London
Coutts chief executive stands down after Farage banking row
MacDonald is additional accused of possessing a shotgun with “intent to endanger life”.
Prosecutors allege he travelled between the totally different properties whereas armed with the firearm and ammunition.
At the preliminary listening to in Glasgow, Lord Fairley set a trial date for 14 May 2024 on the identical court docket.
An extra preliminary listening to date was set for 12 December.