A man has been convicted of killing his brother-in-law and attempting to murder three other people during a violent rampage. Finley MacDonald, aged 41, was found guilty of using a shotgun to repeatedly shoot his brother-in-law John MacKinnon, resulting in his death in the village of Teangue on Skye’s Sleat peninsula on August 10, 2022.
In addition to murdering his brother-in-law, MacDonald also attempted to murder his wife, Rowena, by stabbing her multiple times in the village of Tarskavaig on the same peninsula. He then targeted a married couple, Fay and John MacKenzie, in the village of Dornie, Wester Ross, by firing a shotgun at them and attempting to murder them as well.
The violent attacks began when MacDonald stabbed his wife Rowena at their home in Taskarvaig after discovering text messages between her and her boss. His wife testified during the trial that the attack left her with severe injuries. Following the stabbing, MacDonald armed himself with a shotgun, cartridges, and a knife, and drove to his brother-in-law’s house where he fatally shot him.
MacDonald’s actions were fueled by a long-standing grudge against his brother-in-law stemming from a previous altercation. He then proceeded to the home of John MacKenzie, an osteopath, and his wife Fay, where he shot them before being apprehended by the police.
During the trial, evidence was presented regarding MacDonald’s mental health, with experts testifying that he suffered from autistic spectrum disorder and depressive disorder. Despite attempts by his defense to argue for a lesser charge of culpable homicide due to his mental state, the jury ultimately found him guilty of murder, attempted murder, and possession of a weapon with intent to endanger life.
The prosecution emphasized MacDonald’s calculated actions in selecting and targeting his victims, indicating that he was fully in control of his actions during the violent spree. The jury deliberated for several hours before delivering the guilty verdict.
MacDonald is set to be sentenced by the judge following the jury’s decision. The trial highlighted the tragic consequences of unchecked violence and the importance of addressing mental health issues in cases of extreme behavior.
