Man pleads not guilty to racist murder of scientist in Dundee

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 13:20 · Archive

A man has pleaded not guilty to the racially-aggravated murder of a scientist in Dundee.

Kyler Rattray, 21, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Dr Fortune Gomo, 39, who was attacked near her home on South Road in Dundee on 5 July 2025. Prosecutors allege he struck her repeatedly with a knife in an attack aggravated by race, nationality or ethnicity, and say he will be charged under the Hate Crime and Public Order Crime Act. He also faces a separate charge of illegally carrying a knife in public.

Rattray appeared via video link for a remote hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday. His defence counsel, Iain Paterson KC, said a mental health report would be prepared in the coming months. Paterson indicated that an assessment would consider whether Rattray had autism and whether this might support a mental health defence or demonstrate diminished responsibility.

Dr Gomo was a Scottish Water employee who had studied in Scotland and Zimbabwe and was a mother. The trial is scheduled to begin in January 2028 at the High Court in Dundee.

How it is being reported

• Man denies racist murder of scientist as trial date setA man has denied the racially-aggravated murder of a scientist in Dundee.Sky News · 12 Oct, 13:00
• Man pleads not guilty to ‘racist’ murder of scientist in DundeeKyle Rattray’s defence said they would look into his mental health, including whether he had autism and diminished responsibility.Evening Standard · 12 Oct, 11:31

In this story: Kyler Rattray · Dr Fortune Gomo · Dundee · Scottish Water · High Court in Glasgow · High Court in Dundee

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