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Renee murder accused would have to be ‘a callous psychopath’

By Krissy Storrar

THE man accused of the murders of Renee and Andrew MacRae would have to be ‘a callous psychopath’ if he killed them to avoid his affair being exposed, his defence lawyer told a jury yesterday.

William MacDowell, 80, has ‘suffered 4 years of suspicion’ since his lover Mrs MacRae, 36, and their son Andrew, three, disappeared on November 12, 1976, the High Court in Inverness heard.

The jury was told MacDowell, who was married, had an affair with Mrs MacRae, and Andrew was born in 1973. The court also heard Mrs MacRae confided in her friend Valerie Steventon she was planning to move to Shetland with MacDowell.

In his closing speech, Murray Macara, KC, said: ‘The Crown say he murdered not only his paramour but also his only son in cold blood. If so he must be a cold-hearted, callous psychopath and yet Renee told Valerie he was never violent towards her.’

MacDowell denies the murders. The trial, before Lord Armstrong, continues. Jurors are expected to begin their deliberations today.

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2022-09-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-29T07:00:00.0000000Z

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