DAVID MILLAR SHOCKS COWDENBEATH WITH MURDER AND RAPE CHARGES IN 1997

On January 24, 1997, David Millar committed a brutal act of violence that forever scarred the community of Cowdenbeath. The 82-year-old Lucy Marshall, a frail and vulnerable pensioner, was found murdered in her own home. The details of that tragic day reveal a disturbing sequence of events that have left her family and the town in shock for decades.

According to court records and statements from Millar himself, he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. He confessed to stabbing Lucy Marshall in the neck with a kitchen knife, an act he described as a moment of panic. Millar reportedly stated, “The old woman came in. I panicked. I only stabbed her once. I didn’t mean to do it.” His remarks also included a callous comment about Lucy’s age, saying, “She was fairly old anyway,” which has only added to the outrage and grief felt by her loved ones.

Further complicating the case, Millar’s family has come to learn that he entered into a plea bargain that resulted in him pleading guilty to murder but avoiding charges of rape. This revelation has caused a wave of disbelief among Lucy Marshall’s relatives, especially her great-grandson Graeme Ward. Graeme expressed his shock and disappointment, saying, “This is the first time we’ve heard about the plea deal. We can’t believe it. No one ever told us. Where is the justice for my great-gran?”

The Crown Office’s official correspondence clarified that the charge of rape was dropped after Millar agreed to admit to the murder. Despite longstanding suspicions and beliefs within Lucy’s family that she was raped, no concrete evidence had been available until recently. The letter revealed that bodily fluids were found on Lucy’s body, but DNA testing failed to match them to Millar. However, fibers discovered on Lucy’s clothing were described as “indistinguishable” from those on Millar’s underpants at the time of the murder, adding a disturbing layer to the case. Graeme described the revelation as “gut-wrenching,” emphasizing the long years of uncertainty and pain endured by his family.

As of now, Millar is scheduled for a parole hearing next month. This has caused significant concern among Lucy Marshall’s family members, who fear the possibility of his release. Velma, Lucy’s daughter, voiced her anger and frustration, stating, “I keep thinking of her being terrorized by Millar, and the fear she must have felt when he was attacking her. I’m really not happy about Millar maybe getting released but I know they won’t keep him in forever. He was a kid, but old enough to know right from wrong.”

Graeme Ward has publicly urged the parole board to deny Millar’s release, emphasizing the close-knit nature of Cowdenbeath and the potential danger of allowing him back into the community. He stressed, “People need to know what he’s really like – that he’s not only a murderer but had a rape charge hanging over his head.” The case continues to evoke strong emotions and raises questions about justice, accountability, and the safety of the community in Cowdenbeath.