Man on 'double murder bid and petrol bomb charges' unfit for trial A man accused of trying to kill a taxi driver and elderly woman in a knife attack is unfit to stand trial.
James McFarlane is charged with the attempted murder of Andrew Burns in Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, on June 20 this year.
It is alleged McFarlane repeatedly struck the 44-year-old on the neck with a blade.
The 33 year-old is also accused of attempting to murder 68-year-old pensioner Jean Burns in Cambuslang on the same night.
He faces a further allegation of being in possession of knives and a final charge of having petrol bombs on him.
McFarlane was not present during a short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday. It emerged he is currently detained at the State Hospital at Carstairs.
His lawyer Geoffrey Forbes said psychiatrists have found McFarlane suffers from paranoid schizophrenia.
Mr Forbes added: "He is currently under a treatment order at Carstairs. He is unable to communicate and instruct his representatives."
Instead of a trial, Lord Burns set an examination of facts hearing which is expected to look at the circumstances of the incidents.
The judge told the court: "I am satisfied that he is unfit for trial and make a finding to that effect on the basis he suffers from a mental disorder."
The hearing, which could last up to three days, will take place in the New Year.
http://news.stv.tv/scotland/296423-jame ... ed-murder/
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