A driver noticed a person staring with “worry or panic” on the spot the place the burned-out automobile of a girl thought to have been murdered along with her son greater than 45 years in the past was discovered.
Jean Wallace advised cops in 1977 that on the evening in query she noticed a lone man with a pushchair at a spot she later situated because the Dalmagarry lay-by on the A9.
Her assertion was learn out within the trial in opposition to William MacDowell, 80, on the Excessive Courtroom in Inverness.
MacDowell, of Penrith, Cumbria, denies murdering his son, Andrew MacRae, three, and the kid’s mum, Renee MacRae, 36, on November 12, 1976.
Jurors heard Jean advised police the person she noticed was “bending over” the pushchair and had “one arm supporting some stuff heaped on the pram”, including: “No matter was on the pushchair was lined by clothes and overhanging the aspect of the pushchair.”
As she and her husband drove previous him, she advised police: “The person turned, he regarded instantly in the direction of me. His eyes had been huge and staring and I believed then this was not a pure stare and was brought on by worry or panic.
“This man’s staring was horrifying me and I regarded away.” Jean, who has since died, on the time advised officers she requested her husband if there was one thing improper with their automobile as a result of she might scent rubber burning, the courtroom heard.
Renee’s BMW was discovered burned out within the lay-by that evening. It was recovered by cops. The courtroom heard forensic consultants had recovered a “heavy deposit of blood” from the underside of the BMW’s boot carpet about 3cm in diameter.
Jurors additionally heard that after Renee and her son vanished, MacDowell gave 4 statements – at first denying any involvement along with her, however later admitting it.
In an announcement of November 18, 1976, learn out to courtroom, MacDowell stated: “I by no means harmed Renee in any approach aside from mentally maybe. I couldn’t try this.”
In one other interview, he advised cops she “stored wanting me to go away along with her, saying we might hit it off” however he “all the time made it clear” he couldn't go away his spouse and youngsters for her.
He advised cops on the time he couldn’t clarify her disappearance and had no concept the place she could be, the courtroom heard. MacDowell has lodged a particular defence of incrimination and alibi. The trial continues.
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