Renee MacRae: Husband denies involvement in murders
- Published
Renee MacRae and her son Andrew were allegedly murdered in 1976
The estranged husband of a woman allegedly murdered 46 years ago has told a court he had no part in the disappearance of her or her young son.
Renee MacRae, 36, and her son Andrew MacRae, three, disappeared in the Highlands on 12 November 1976.
Gordon MacRae, 85, told a court it was "incredible" to suggest he could have been involved.
William MacDowell, of Penrith, Cumbria, is on trial accused of murdering Mrs MacRae and Andrew, who was his son.
The 80-year-old denies the charges and his lawyers have lodged special defences of incrimination and alibi.
The defence claims Gordon MacRae committed the offences together with persons unknown.
Mr MacRae told the court he and Mrs MacRae did not have a brilliant marriage, but when they split up they had an amicable relationship.
He said he knew she was involved with somebody else and he repeatedly asked if it was someone employed at his firm, Hugh MacRae Builders Limited.
In court, Mr MacRae was questioned on the specifics of what happened on the weekend of the alleged incidents.
He recounted how Mrs MacRae had told him she was going to visit her sister in Kilmarnock.
Mr MacRae said it had come as a shock to him when he was told on the morning of 13 November 1976 that her car had been found the previous night, burnt-out in a lay-by at Dalmagarry, south of Inverness.
He said soon after that he learned that Mrs MacRae had been going to meet her lover - his company secretary, Mr MacDowell.
Gordon MacRae dismissed William MacDowell as an employee at his construction firm
Mr MacRae told the jury how in the days following the discovery of the car he asked Mr MacDowell into the boardroom.
Mr MacRae said he told him: "If you can help the police in any way, please do.
"He didn't say a word the whole time in the boardroom. Not a word."
He then fired Mr MacDowell because of the relationship, the court was told, and he had never seen him again.
Mr MacDowell's counsel, Murray MacAra KC, cross-examined Mr MacRae and asked him: "Did you feel at any stage that the police suspected that you were involved in their disappearance?"
Mr MacRae replied: "No. Not at all."
Mr MacAra told the court that Mr MacRae used to visit a nearby quarry with a then girlfriend and said to her: "If you fall out with me this is where you would end up."
Mr MacRae described that as "absolute nonsense".
Gordon MacRae said he had felt no animosity towards Andrew
He also denied consulting a solicitor about divorcing his wife after learning that she was pregnant and he was not the father.
Mr MacRae said: "I hardly knew Andrew. There was no animosity but I find it difficult to remember anything about Andrew. We got to the stage that we had to live separately."
He said on 12 November he had been working late at a business meeting and had gone straight to his home in Inverness from his headquarters in the city's Harbour Road.
In other questions, Mr MacAra asked if Mr MacRae had in any way been complicit over Renee's disappearance.
Mr MacRae said: "I can't express my indignation that this should be suggested. It is incredible."
Re-examined by advocate depute Alex Prentice KC, Mr MacRae was again asked: "Did you have any part whatsoever and in any way with the disappearance of Renee and Andrew?"
He responded: "Absolutely none."
Mr MacDowell has been accused of murdering Mrs MacRae and their son at a lay-by on the A9 at Dalmagarry, south of Inverness, or elsewhere on 12 November 1976.
He also faces a charge alleging he disposed of their bodies, personal effects and a pushchair, and of setting fire to a BMW car and disposing of a Volvo car's boot hatch.
Mr MacDowell, who has appeared in court in a wheelchair, denies all the charges.
The jury has been told Mr MacDowell was not at the scene of the alleged murders and that he spent the night at home.
The court heard he had been at his work, Hugh Macrae Builders Limited, and when he left that evening he went to the Mercury Motor Inn, where he was with James MacBeath, Hamilton Young and John Davenport.
Then, the jury heard, he travelled back to work before visiting a store. Afterwards, he is said to have driven home via the A9, getting back to his house at about 20:15.
The trial before Lord Armstrong continues.