The person accused of murdering a mom and the kid that they had collectively nearly 46 years in the past has mentioned her estranged husband, together with others, was liable for the crime.
William MacDowell, of Penrith, went on trial on the Excessive Courtroom in Inverness on Tuesday the place he's accused of killing the 36-year-old Renee MacRae and their son Andrew, three, in November 1976. Represented by Murray Macara KC, the court docket was informed the 80-year-old denies the costs towards him and has lodged a particular defence of incrimination and alibi.
The jury of seven males and eight ladies have been informed he was not on the scene of the alleged homicide on November 12, 1976, and that he spent the evening at dwelling. The defence claims that Ms MacRae's, husband Gordon MacRae, whom she was separated from, dedicated the offences along with individuals unknown.
MacDowell, who appeared in court docket in a wheelchair, is charged with assaulting Ms MacRae and their three-year-old son on the Dalmagarry layby on the A9 trunk highway, or elsewhere, by means unknown, and because of this murdering them. He's additionally charged with disposing of their our bodies and belongings by means unknown.
MacDowell can also be accused of setting fireplace to a BMW automobile, disposing of a pushchair, and of a boot hatch from a Volvo, and that he did so to keep away from detection, arrest, and prosecution. Advocate depute Alex Prentice KC is prosecuting, and Lord Armstrong informed the jury that he anticipated the trial to final about 4 weeks.
The court docket was informed Mr MacRae married Renee MacRae on Could 17, 1963, however they break up in 1975. The court docket heard that within the July of the next yr, she moved into Cradlehall Park, close to Inverness, in a house offered by her estranged husband. The trial continues.
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