Finlay MacDonald Accused of Murdering Brother-in-Law

Finlay MacDonald, accused of murdering his brother-in-law John MacKinnon, claims that his issues began after MacKinnon assaulted him in 2013, leaving him humiliated and with low self-esteem. During his trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, MacDonald stated that the incident triggered a mental decline, which included autism spectrum disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, as noted by psychiatrist Dr. Suraj Shenoy. MacDonald, 41, is charged with murdering the 47-year-old MacKinnon by shooting him at his home on August 10, 2022, alongside attempts to murder his wife and another couple. He denies all charges and argues that his ability to control his conduct was severely impaired by mental health issues at the time of the alleged crimes. The trial has included testimonies about his troubled relationship with his wife and the impact of his past experiences. The defense claims that MacDonald felt betrayed by his wife, which contributed to his emotional turmoil.