Court / Pair who were found guilty of murder intend to appeal
TWO people who were handed life sentences after a jury trial found them guilty of murdering Lerwick woman Tracy Walker in July 2019 are appealing the high court’s decision.
An official at the Court of Criminal Appeal confirmed on Wednesday that legal representatives of Ross MacDougall, 32, and Dawn Smith, 29, had notified them of their intention to appeal.
It is not known at this stage whether they are appealing against their convictions or sentences.
Following a 15-day trial, MacDougall was sentenced in early December to serve a minimum of 23 years.
His co-accused was also found guilty of murder and was told she would have to serve at least 20 years and two months before she could hope to be released from custody.
The pair stood trial at the High Court in Edinburgh last year and denied striking Tracy on the head with a rock before strangling her and stabbing her in the throat.
Both had denied murdering 40-year old Tracy Walker but were found guilty by a jury.
The appeals are expected to be heard later this year.
Report by James Mulholland of Edinburgh Courts Press Services
If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.
For victims of general crime:
Victim Support Shetland
Phone: 01595744524 or 0800 1601985
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