Psychologist tells Skye murder trial that accused was not significantly impaired by mental disorders

Mental disorders suffered by a man accused of murdering his brother-in-law did not significantly impact his ability to control his actions, a psychologist has told a court.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that one expert considered that, at the time of the alleged murder, Finlay MacDonald had undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder, a personality disorder and was experiencing low mood and anxiety.

Advocate depute Liam Ewing KC asked forensic psychologist Lorraine Johnstone if the disorders, conditions and traits suffered by MacDonald as a whole were taken into account, would it have significantly impaired his ability to control his actions on August 10, 2022.

She replied: “No, I don’t think they did.”

She 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.”

She said MacDonald said he knew he had done wrong when he attacked his wife and could not see a future for himself. He armed himself with additional weapons and then set off motivated by a desire to confront others with whom he felt aggrieved.

MacDonald is accused of murdering his brother-in-law John MacKinnon. Police Scotland

MacDonald, 41, is accused of attempting to murder his wife Rowena, 34, on August 10, 2022 at the family home at Tarskavaig, on the Isle of Skye, by repeatedly stabbing her.

The marine engineer is also accused of murdering his distillery worker brother-in-law John MacKinnon on the same day at his home in Teangue, on Skye, by firing a shotgun at him.

He is further alleged to have attempted to murder retired osteopath John MacKenzie and his wife Fay, both 65, at their home in the Highland village of Dornie by discharging a shotgun at them.

MacDonald has pleaded not guilty to the charges and lodged a special defence to the murder charge, maintaining at the time of the alleged offence his ability to determine or control his conduct was substantially impaired by abnormality of mind.

The trial before judge Lady Drummond continues.