Skye shooting suspect ‘saw himself as victim’, court told

In a recent court hearing at the Edinburgh High Court, it was revealed that the suspect in the Skye shooting case, Finlay MacDonald, saw himself as a victim before the tragic events unfolded. The court heard from a consultant forensic psychiatrist who stated that MacDonald, who is accused of murdering his brother-in-law and attempting to murder three others, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and a depressive disorder. During a consultation, MacDonald shared with Dr. Alastair Morris that he had experienced a physical and nervous breakdown the previous week and had struggled with people and situations throughout his life.

Dr. Morris reported that MacDonald perceived himself as the victim in the situation. Another psychologist’s report mentioned that MacDonald’s autism was not severe enough to prevent him from distinguishing right from wrong or controlling his actions. Dr. Morris acknowledged that MacDonald’s autism was on the milder end of the spectrum. The court anticipates further testimonies from three other psychologists and psychiatrists as expert witnesses in MacDonald’s trial.

The allegations against MacDonald include attempting to murder his wife by stabbing her, murdering his brother-in-law by shooting him, and attempting to murder a retired couple by discharging a shotgun at them. MacDonald pleaded not guilty to the charges and maintains a special defence, claiming his ability to determine or control his conduct was significantly impaired by an abnormality of mind at the time of the incident. The trial, overseen by Lady Drummond, is ongoing at the High Court in Edinburgh.

In summary, the court proceedings shed light on the complex psychological state of the suspect in the Skye shooting case, revealing his perception of himself as a victim despite the serious allegations against him. The expert testimonies and legal defenses further illustrate the intricate nature of the case as it unfolds in the judicial system.