Fatal Incident Following Poisoning Accusation
A man fatally stabbed his mother while she was on a phone call with police reporting his alleged attempt to poison his father.
Thomas Fraser, aged 31, attacked his mother, Miriam MacDonald, 52, and his father, Ian MacDonald, 55, at their Inverness residence on 1 June last year.
Background and Mental Health Decline
The High Court in Glasgow was informed that Fraser had been a PhD student with promising prospects in radar technology before experiencing a decline in his mental health, which led to his return home in 2023.
He faced charges of murder and attempted murder but was acquitted after prosecutors accepted that he was suffering from a mental disorder during the incident. Fraser is currently receiving treatment at a high-security psychiatric hospital.
Judge Lord Mulholland adjourned the case until July to obtain updated medical reports.
Education and Personal History
The court heard that Fraser held a Master's degree in electronic engineering and had pursued further studies at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh.
However, his mental health deteriorated during his university years, leading him to become reclusive upon returning to Inverness.
Events Leading to the Attack
In the days preceding the attack, Fraser's parents confronted him over suspected cleaning products found in the water tank of their coffee machine.
On 1 June, his father opened a drink can and left it unattended on a table. After dinner, Miriam MacDonald consumed more of the drink.
Prosecutor Graeme Jessop KC stated:
"Upon drinking from it, the contents tasted flat and had a chemical taste. This caused Ian MacDonald to spit it out into the kitchen sink."
Fraser denied involvement, but his mother contacted police with her concerns.
Jessop further explained:
"While Miriam MacDonald was still on the phone, her husband started walking out of the kitchen. He looked behind him and saw Fraser holding a knife in each hand. He then proceeded to lunge towards Mr MacDonald."
Attack and Intervention
The court was told Fraser attacked both parents inside the house and continued the assault in the front garden after they staggered outside.
Two neighbours, alerted by the commotion, armed themselves with a shovel and a golf club to intervene and chase Fraser away.
Police later found Fraser at a riverbank still holding a bloodied knife. He made several disturbing statements, including:
"I am Lucifer"
Miriam MacDonald succumbed to her injuries and died in hospital the following evening.
Defense Statement
Donald Findlay KC, representing Fraser, told the court:
"He is a very intelligent young man, an outstanding career in prospect in government service in relation to radar and all sorts of research matters. But, something terrible has gone wrong."
