Renee MacRae: Murder accused 'a walking dead man'
- Published
Rosemary MacDowell told the High Court in Inverness her husband, William, had mobility problems and issues with his liver and kidneys
A pensioner accused of committing a double murder in the Highlands 46 years ago has been described as a "walking dead man."
William MacDowell, 80, denies murdering Renee MacRae, 36, and three-year-old Andrew MacRae in 1976.
His wife Rosemary, 80, told his trial her husband had mobility problems and a "very sick" liver and kidney.
She said: "He's actually a walking dead man and he has got a DNR (do not resuscitate) set up already."
Mr MacDowell, of Penrith, Cumbria, 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 has also been accused of disposing of their bodies and setting fire to a BMW car.
Mr MacDowell denies the charges and his lawyers have lodged special defences of incrimination and alibi.
Mrs MacDowell told the court her husband's heart was "working very hard to keep him alive".
She also told the jury how he had returned home on the night of the alleged murders between 20:00 and 20:30.
Mrs MacDowell said he was wearing a suit, shirt and tie and there was nothing unusual about his appearance.
She said he had not appeared flustered, nervous or uneasy.
Renee MacRae and her son Andrew disappeared in November 1976
The court heard that Mrs MacDowell was detained by police in 1987 and interviewed under caution. She had not wished a solicitor to be present.
Detectives had suggested that she had given her husband a false alibi.
Retired police officer Peter Black told the jury the interview had been "very agitated and volatile."
Mrs MacDowell was released after giving a statement.
The trial also heard evidence about Mr MacDowell's company car, a Volvo. He has been accused of disposing of the car's boot hatch.
Volvo garage salesman Ian Cattenach initially thought it was a Wednesday before Mrs MacRae and her son went missing that Mr MacDowell came in with his vehicle, which had the floor removed.
However, after being referred by advocate depute Alex Prentice KC to a previous statement, Mr Cattenach accepted it was after the disappearance.
He told the jury he asked Mr MacDowell where the floor was and was told it had been burnt.
Mr Cattenach said: "He said he was building a house and throwing building materials in the back had ruined it.
"He wanted it the same day. The parts department said it would be a month to get one. He asked us to take one out of one of the sales cars. I said I couldn't do that and he went off not very happy."
Mr Cattenach recalled Mr MacDowell returned days later "in a better frame of mind" and it was agreed to help him out because he was a good customer.
William Mackenzie who carried out the work to the Volvo told the court he thought Mr MacDowell had come to the garage in June 1976.
Mr MacDowell denies the charges against him, including one alleging he disposed of Renee and Andrew MacRae's bodies, personal effects and a pushchair and of setting fire to a BMW car.
The defence claims Mrs MacRae's estranged husband Gordon MacRae committed the offences together with persons unknown.
The trial before Lord Armstrong continues.