Jealous gun nut jailed for murdering brother-in-law moments after leaving wife for dead amid Skye rampage
He armed himself with a Mossberg 410 pump-action shotgun, a machete and four hundreds cartridges
A GUN nut has been jailed for life after murdering his brother-in-law by blasting him three times with a shotgun – minutes after leaving his wife for dead in a “frenzied knife” murder bid.
Finlay MacDonald was also convicted of attempting to murder an osteopath and his wife at their home by shooting them both with a pump-action shotgun.
The jury rejected his claims that his responsibility was diminished due to “abnormality of mind” and nailed him for murdering, John MacKinnon.
He’ll need to wait at least 28 years before being eligible for parole.
During his three week trial at the High Court in Edinburgh the jury were told that brute launched his knife attack on his wife after discovering “flirty” text messages between her and a work colleague.
After stabbing his wife nine times at their home in Tarskavaig, Skye MacDonald armed himself with his recently purchased Mossberg 410 pump-action shotgun, a machete and four hundreds cartridges.
He then drove around twenty minutes to his brother-in-law’s home and walked inside where Mr MacKinnon was making his breakfast and blasted him three times in the chest and body before turning and walking out.
Mr MacKinnon’s wife, who is MacDonald’s sister, found her beloved husband still standing at the kitchen sink before he collapsed to the floor and died.
WEAPON'S HAUL
In MacDonald’s home officers found a huge haul of weapons.
As well as six shotguns they discovered a range of knives and bladed weapons belonging to MacDonald inside his home.
- These included:
- 4 hatchets
- 13 knives
- A lock knife
- A large axe
- He also owned six shotguns.
- These were:
- Four 410 shotguns
- Two 12 gauge shotguns
MacDonald got back in his Subaru car and reloaded his gun before driving around 45 minutes to the home of osteopath, John MacKenzie in Dornie, Localsh to “confront” him over a back injury he claims was caused by the physician.
As he arrived at the couple’s home Mrs MacKenzie was in the garden and went into the living room before MacDonald shot her from “two feet” away in the face and head through the window.
He then entered the couple’s home and found Mr MacKenzie who was “shielding” his wife in the bathroom before blasting him at point blank range.
He was then tasered and arrested by police who had trailed him to the property
Mrs MacDonald, Mrs MacKenzie and Mr MacKenzie all survived their injuries, and gave evidence in court during the trial.
The court was shown footage of a police interview with MacDonald the day after the attacks during which he said he stabbed his wife in a “moment of madness” and he then felt a “total darkness come over me”.
A central focus of the 12-day trial was the extent to which MacDonald was in control of his actions when he carried out the attacks.
The court heard evidence about his mental state from two psychiatrists and two psychologists, who all agreed he suffered from autistic spectrum disorder and depressive disorder.
TIMELINE OF MAYHEM
August 10th, 2022
9am – The mayhem began at 9am as cops and mercy crews raced to a house in Tarskavaig, in the south of the island, where 32-year-old Rowena MacDonald was found seriously injured from a “frenzied knife” murder bid.
9:02am– The Scottish Ambulance Service received a call and rushed to the scene. At this point there are no details of any deaths.
9.20am – MacDonald armed himself with his recently purchased Mossberg 410 pump-action shotgun, a machete and four hundred cartridges, and drove 20 minutes across the island.
9.30am – Officers responded to reports a firearm had been discharged at a home just eight miles away in Teangue. MacDonald’s brother-in-law John MacKinnon, 47, is found dead within the property from gunshot wounds by wife Lyn-Anne, MacDonald’s sister.
9.35am – MacDonald got back in his Subaru car and reloaded his gun before driving around 45 minutes to the home of osteopath, John MacKenzie, to “confront” him over a back injury he claims was caused by the physician.
10.15am – Police on the mainland were alerted to a shooting in Dornie, Wester Ross, where Mr Mackenzie and his wife Fay, both 63, were found seriously wounded.
Mrs MacKenzie was in the garden and went into the living room before MacDonald shot her from “two feet” away in the face and head through the window. Mr Mackenzie was shot at point blank “shielding” his wife.
1:30pm– Police Scotland post confirmed a 39-year-old Finlay MacDonald had been arrested at the Mackenzie’s home.
August 11th, 2022
4.30pm – Police confirm MacDonald had been charged in connection with Mr MacKinnon’s murder and the attempted murder of three others who were injured.
November 29 2024
MacDonald is jailed for life following a 12-day trial where the jury rejected his claims that his responsibility was diminished due to “abnormality of mind”.
He’ll need to wait at least 28 years before being eligible for parole.
However prosecutor Liam Ewing KC said MacDonald’s actions after he stabbed his wife – including the fact he drove to two different houses, was able to load and use a shotgun, and was able to select his victims – indicated he had been “fully in control” of his actions when he murdered the osteopath.
Defending, solicitor advocate Shahid Latif said of MacDonald: “He is sorry for what he did that day.
“He wishes he could undo and go back in time to try and stop himself.
“In particular he indicates he has failed his children. He wants them to know he is sorry.”
