Edinburgh Man Acquitted After Killing Mother with Crossbow, Claims 'Devil' Made Him Do It

Daniel Parker, 37, was acquitted of murder after using a crossbow to kill his 78-year-old mother, Margaret Parker, in their Edinburgh home on May 21, 2024. The court heard that Parker, suffering from severe mental health issues, believed the 'devil' made him commit the act and claimed his family betrayed him, likening his life to the film 'The Truman Show'. He also fired at his sister and a neighbor, convinced they were involved in a conspiracy against him. Armed police had to force entry into the house after hearing screams for help, finding Parker in an upstairs cupboard. Following psychiatric evaluations, he was deemed not to appreciate the wrongfulness of his actions, leading to his acquittal on all charges, including firearm possession. Prosecutors described Parker's delusions, including beliefs that his mother was poisoning him and that he was being watched.