MURDERED HIS MOTHER BY DELIVERING 13 AXE BLOWS TO HER HEAD
A man from Fife who murdered his mother by delivering 13 axe blows to her head has been ordered to remain in a secure hospital facility, a judge has decided.During a hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, it was revealed that Bernard Linney, aged 47, was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the assault.
Linney faced an accusation of murder, but he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide on the basis of diminished responsibility, which was accepted by the court.
Mrs.
Rosa Linney was discovered by her daughter in a pool of blood the day after her 76th birthday, on June 21 of the previous year.
The family became concerned when Mrs.
Linney, who was usually very punctual, did not appear for tea with her granddaughter.
Suspicion increased when a grandson visited the residence on Morar Street in Methil, Fife, finding the outside door, normally left ajar for her cats to enter and exit, was closed.
Daughter Jennifer Bowie then went to the address.
Her brother, Bernard Linney, partially opened the door, blocking it with his body, claiming that their mother had gone to Leven.
Jennifer Bowie insisted on seeing their mother, and Bernard gradually opened the door wider.
Prosecutor Iain McSporran stated: "Mrs.
Bowie saw her mother lying on her back in the hallway.
There was significant blood staining around her, especially on her head.
It was clear to her that her mother was dead." Upon police arrival, Bernard Linney was seen pacing in his bedroom.
He confessed to them, saying, "I hit her with an axe." An autopsy revealed that Mrs.
Linney succumbed to 13 axe wounds to the top and back of her head, inflicted in quick succession, according to medical experts.
Linney recounted that he had gone to the garage in the back garden during the night and retrieved a large axe with a black handle.
He described how his mother tried to stop him and struggled, but he succeeded in hitting her over the head with the axe.
"She told me to stop, and I told her I had to kill her," Linney said.
He claimed that his mother was in bed when he initially tried to seize her and that she attempted to reach the front door but he subdued her and struck her with the axe.
Mr.
McSporran added: "He pulled his mother away from the front door to avoid being seen and left her lying there while he made himself a cup of coffee." Linney also stated he attempted to stab himself in the chest with a bread knife after realizing what he had done.
The court heard that for two to three weeks prior to the attack, Linney exhibited strange behaviors, such as complaining about loud music that was not playing and talking to himself.
Since admitting to the killing, Linney has been in diagnosis and assessment at Carstairs hospital.
Dr.
Gray indicated he would likely remain there for another year.
When he begins to respond to treatment, he may be transferred to the Orchard Clinic, which offers less restrictive security, to continue rehabilitation.
It is noted that Linney cannot be moved or released from Carstairs without approval from the Scottish Ministers.
